Jude Wanniski (al Jazeera): An Iraqi nationalist party is needed

[Jack Rabbit]

From al Jazeera
Dated Saturday February 5

An Iraqi nationalist party is needed
By Jude Wanniski

When it comes to the elections held in Iraq on 30 January, the greatest confusion among the American people is in failing to understand Iraqi nationhood.

There are practically no US citizens who think of themselves as being Protestant, Catholic or Jewish before they think of themselves as Americans.

When it comes to Iraq, though, Americans have been educated to think that all Iraqis think of themselves first as members of a Muslim sect, and only then as Iraqis.

The difference is crucial, in that the erroneous assumption is leading President George Bush, the US government, and American intellectuals on a path that ends with a break-up of Iraq into three independent states, one Kurdish, one Sunni and one Shia.

Read more.

[Igel]

1. Agreed, within limits (because let's face it, nationalism can

be overdone).

On the other hand, the absence of such a slate, or at least such a slate attracting significant vote, does make a statement. It's possible for Turkomen to fight against Iran not to protect Basra, but to protect the northern territories, and for Shi'a to fight against Iran not to protect Ramadi, but Basra. (Of course, that Shi'a fought against Iran is obviously impossible, since both are Shi'ite. /sarcasm)

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Mr. Wanniski covers that

As he points out, most Iraqi Kurds and Iraqi Shiites fought for Iraq in the Gulf War of 1980s. His conclusion is that they regarded themselves as Iraqis first and fought against any perceived foreign domination by Iran.

However, your sarcasm is well taken. The various ethnic groups in Iraq may want to go their own way, and don't want to go Iran's way any more than they want to go Bush's way. This interpretation of events would have them fighting a common enemy, not as Iraqi nationalists.

I infer from some Mr. Wanniski's asides that his politics are sober conservative. He's certainly doesn't ally himself with the neocons.

[Igel]

4. Actually, I find a bit of hope in what Wanniski said.

I'm unconvinced there's a Iraqi national consciousness, but that the Iraqi Shi'a were willing to fight the Iranian Shi'a ... it may mean they're not willing to become Iranian puppets, the big fear of some people.

[Orangeone]

2. Yeah

Isn't that what the BAATH party was...?