Sectarian Tensions Rise in Iraq

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Rafe al-Essawi Essawi was until recently Iraq's finance minister and among the highest-ranking Sunni politicians. That he is now on the run from his own government in Anbar Province, alleging widespread persecution of Sunnis, is the latest sign that persistent sectarian tensions are undermining any lingering hopes of political stability and national unity. "It's dangerous to have an unhappy minority population that borders Syria," said an American diplomat. "You have the potential for what's in Syria to come to these western provinces."

Posted by rcade at 09:52 AM | 38 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Front Page
Breaking News
Comments
Flagged Comments
User Blogs
Write a Blog Entry
Create a Poll
Edit Account
Weekly Digest
Stats Page
RSS Feed
Back Page

Subscriptions

Read the Retort using RSS.

RSS Feed

Author Info

rcade

Joined 2003/04/04
Visited 2013/05/25

Status: editor

Obama Shifts from 'Perpetual War-Footing' (3 comments) ...

Machete Attacker Was Popular Schoolboy (11 comments) ...

Code Pink Heckler Interrupts Obama (32 comments) ...

Obama's Prom Photos Published (62 comments) ...

Comments

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Personal attacks, profanity, abusive conduct and expressions of prejudice are not allowed. If you have comments about site moderation, contact the site publisher in email.

Great. Another civil war in Iraq. I suppose this is all Obama's fault?
What say you, Fox "News" syncophants?

P.S. - rhetorical.

#1 | Posted by harry_powell at 2013-03-21 10:11 AM | Reply | Flag:

This was coming. We all knew this was coming. There is no stopping it, only delying it with American lives and treasure.

I suppose this is all Obama's fault?

Only if he gets involved. In theory, we are out. In reality, we are very much there, but let's go with the theory since that is what most people believe. If he gets us back into it, then it is all on him.

#2 | Posted by kanrei at 2013-03-21 10:16 AM | Reply | Flag:

I thought that this story was going to be about Iraqis fighting each other for the best position from which to throw flowers and chocolates at the few remaining US troops.

#3 | Posted by Sully at 2013-03-21 10:23 AM | Reply | Flag:

I suppose this is all Obama's fault?
Posted by harry_powell

Can't he get Rafe al-Essawi Essawi and a Sunni Leader to sit down, have a beer and work this out?

#4 | Posted by wisgod at 2013-03-21 10:23 AM | Reply | Flag:

Sure glad we built the largest embassy in the world over there, it will soon be empty when we pull out all American personnel for their own safety.
Those of us who were against the invasion predicted exactly this outcome so I got to say....I told you so!

#5 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-21 10:26 AM | Reply | Flag:

Can we just start murdering Syrians already? The propaganda pregame is so tedious and boring.

#6 | Posted by Ben_Berkkake at 2013-03-21 10:35 AM | Reply | Flag:

-Can we just start murdering Syrians already?

Finally, an honest traditional "nuke 'em all and ask questions later" Republican response.

I was beginning tho think they had all become peace doves since Obama came into office.

#7 | Posted by Corky at 2013-03-21 10:42 AM | Reply | Flag:

A predictable result of sequestration.

#8 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-21 10:43 AM | Reply | Flag:

No one could have predicted there would be sectarian tensions in Iraq after the war.

#9 | Posted by Corky at 2013-03-21 10:48 AM | Reply | Flag:

Finally, an honest traditional "nuke 'em all and ask questions later" Republican response.

I don't want to use a single Syrian contractor/rebel. I'd prefer we do all our own dirty work and we reduce unemployment in the process. Why pussyfoot around smuggling guns to rebels through Benghazi and "training them" to use chemical weapons? Let's call our buddies in France, hammer through a few more NATO resolutions and march right through the front [...] door.

#10 | Posted by Ben_Berkkake at 2013-03-21 10:50 AM | Reply | Flag:

No one could have predicted there would be sectarian tensions in Iraq after the war.

So many lost opportunities for vetting...how unfortunate.

#11 | Posted by Ben_Berkkake at 2013-03-21 10:51 AM | Reply | Flag:

Why is it that secretaries in the Middle East have such a tough time getting along?

#12 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 12:00 PM | Reply | Flag:

This was coming. We all knew this was coming. There is no stopping it, only delying it with American lives and treasure.
I suppose this is all Obama's fault?

#2 | POSTED BY KANREI

Isn't it a just a little bit racist to assume that Iraqi's aren't capable of peaceful civilization?

Why? Because they're brown, because they're Muslims? What is it about them that you think them inferior and incapable of proper governance?

Please explain, if you will kind sir.

#13 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 12:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

... sorry, Kanrei. That wasn't your comment at all. I see now that your comment was in response to another comment.

Sorry!!

#14 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 12:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

#5 | POSTED BY DANNI

Racist much? Why do you believe Iraqis incapable of governance? Because they're brown? Because they're Muslims? What is it that makes you so pious and sure of yourself?

#15 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 12:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

That's not very brilliant, Bart. Especially considering the poster's liberal history, and Iraq's history of sectarian violence that none of us expect to magically go away anytime soon.

It has nothing to do with race.

#16 | Posted by Corky at 2013-03-21 12:13 PM | Reply | Flag:

That's not very brilliant, Bart. Especially considering the poster's liberal history, and Iraq's history of sectarian violence that none of us expect to magically go away anytime soon.
It has nothing to do with race.
#16 | POSTED BY CORKY

I find liberals to be the most racist of anybody. They seem to assume people of certain races will act in certain ways; it's assumed that blacks will vote for democrats and brown iraqis will kill each other. And that's just for starters.

Need some quotes or news stories confirming how liberals, especially Hollywood ones, are the most racist of anybody?

#17 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 12:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

#17 Naw, thanks though. I think you've made yourself perfectly clear... for anyone to see.

#18 | Posted by Corky at 2013-03-21 12:30 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Why do you believe Iraqis incapable of governance?"

Because Sunnis and Shiites have hated each other for hundreds of years. How do you view the ME and not know this?

#19 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-21 12:35 PM | Reply | Flag:

#17 Naw, thanks though. I think you've made yourself perfectly clear... for anyone to see.

#18 | POSTED BY CORKY

Okay, great then. I didn't want to show any proof, anyhow. I think you know I easily could though and that's all that matters to me.

Liberals say racist [...] all the time; and get away with it most of the time.

The same cannot be said of conservatives. Can it?

#20 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 12:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

-The same cannot be said of conservatives

That's a pretty good comedy routine. Stephen Colbert and Bradford Winston would be proud.

#21 | Posted by Corky at 2013-03-21 12:44 PM | Reply | Flag:

Maybe after the NCAA Tournament, Obama should start thinking of getting his Contractors out. Based on the numbers, that should be accomplished by the end of his 2nd Term.

#22 | Posted by wisgod at 2013-03-21 12:46 PM | Reply | Flag:

Why did Rush Limbaugh lose his gig commenting on football games anyway?

#23 | Posted by danni at 2013-03-21 12:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

Because he's stupid?

#24 | Posted by kamakiri at 2013-03-21 12:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

Because Sunnis and Shiites have hated each other for hundreds of years. How do you view the ME and not know this?

#19 | POSTED BY DANNI

So you're suggesting that we use race, culture, history, religion, and peoples past actions to inform us about their probable future conduct?

Really? [...]

#25 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 12:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

If he gets us back into it, then it is all on him.

#2 | Posted by kanrei

Even though this President did not start the war in Iraq it does not recuse him from any responsibility for the aftermath. Unfortunately.

America devastated their country so we are still responsible.

Thanks George.

#26 | Posted by donnerboy at 2013-03-21 01:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

"What say you, Fox "News" sycophants?"

If I were Newt or one of the stupid fox sycophants I would be saying ----- "Secularism is destroying America" in a mindlessly clueless way as often as I could between commercials, as usual.

#27 | Posted by ChiefTutMoses at 2013-03-21 01:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

Maybe Obama should take Danni's advice over in Israel.

Obama might say, "...you over there, you white-jews, and you over on that side, you brown-islmists.. now.. we know.. we know.. you all hate each other.. so lets just call a spade a spade here.. shall we? its time for honesty.. and that peace in the middle east just ain't possible..."

Obama won't though, that'd be racist. Now he won't say that stuff of course, yet most liberals likely believe it.

Say it ain't true. Danni? Anyone?

#28 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 01:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

"its time for honesty.. and that peace in the middle east just ain't possible..."

Frankly, the best time for this "honesty" would have been before we dropped two trillion dollars bringing "peace" to the Middle East.

Saying it now it just sounds like backsliders trying to weasel out of their culpability.

Lets not forget who chanted "when they stand up, we stand down" and "cut and run".

#29 | Posted by ChiefTutMoses at 2013-03-21 02:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

Perhaps you're right, Chief. And perhaps the French will always lament having decided to aid us in our fight against King George too.

People can change. And so can the times. Let's not simply assume that race and religion will always stand in the way of a better world.

The story GWB started, is far from over. Lasting change can take time.

#30 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 02:19 PM | Reply | Flag:

undermining any lingering hopes of political stability and national unity.

Anybody who had ANY hopes of stability and national unity in Iraq also have lingering hopes there's a couple tons of gold hidden in their basement.

Kurdistan has existed in all but name since 2003 and the sunnis are doing everything they canto refire the civil war with the shia so we'll likely see either genocide or another de facto split.

Ie Iraq divided 3 ways, like VP Biden predicted. And that has just got to add to the righties butt-hurt.

#31 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-21 04:38 PM | Reply | Flag:

..you over there, you white-jews, and you over on that side, you brown-islmists.. now.. we know.. we know.. you all hate each other.. so lets just call a spade a spade here..

So what do we say to all the non-white jews? You do realize that not all the jews in Israel are white? That the original jews, including Jeebus were indistinguishable from the Egyptians and Syrians, ie. brown and non-Christian?

Or hasn't Beck explained that to you? Maybe you should hold a seance with Deadbreibart and get his take on things, now that his pulse equals his IQ.

#32 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-21 04:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

Liberals say racist [...] all the time; and get away with it most of the time.

The same cannot be said of conservatives. Can it?

Conservatives constantly play the "we're not racist" card. Even when there are no blacks in the GOP House, and no elected blacks in the GOP Senate, they lift up the white masks on their white cone hats, fluff up their white robes and say, some of our best friends and shoeshine boys are black. We aren't racist, we just don't want them to get too close to us. We don't want to catch black cooties. Oh yeah, they're all like Obama, eating fried chicken and watermelon all the time, like our Party newsletters continue to show."

#33 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-03-21 04:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

Conservatives constantly play the "we're not racist" card. Even when there are no blacks in the GOP House, and no elected blacks in the GOP Senate,

#33 | POSTED BY NORTHGUY3

Blacks gotta run to get elected. Try it, it works.

#34 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 04:55 PM | Reply | Flag:

Ie Iraq divided 3 ways, like VP Biden predicted. And that has just got to add to the righties butt-hurt.

#31 | POSTED BY NORTHGUY3

Ah, of course the left's leading racist would simply conclude such. NO hope for the stupid desert brown folks, you say? And what's that? Biden didn't makes racist remarks about Obama the candidate? And Jews too. Oh and then there's the whole sexist dealios... but I digress.

#35 | Posted by brilliantbart at 2013-03-21 05:02 PM | Reply | Flag:

"The story GWB started, is far from over"

Then why do the ideologs and the heritage foundation spaz whenever it examined?

#36 | Posted by ChiefTutMoses at 2013-03-21 05:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

The story GWB started, is far from over.

...true .... my grandchildren will still be paying for the cost of that stupid war ......

Lasting change can take time.
#30 | Posted by brilliantbart

......'lasting change' is an oxymoron ...... just like 'brilliantbart'......

#37 | Posted by skizziks at 2013-03-22 02:03 PM | Reply | Flag:

This story is a lie. Secretariat died October 4, 1989. There is no way he is causing tension in Iraq
-Dubya

#38 | Posted by kanrei at 2013-03-22 02:05 PM | Reply | Flag: