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Jihad Watch's Hugh Fitzgerald on the galloping success of the democratization of Iraq:
The American government seems intent on insuring that it will do nothing to harm Islam, nothing to exploit those ready-made aspects of Iraq which lend themselves so obviously (obvious to me) to increasing division, disarray, demoralization, within Islam itself.The Kurds, of course, will be the immediate losers, but by failing to support their well-justified demands for at the very least, autonomy, and even better, for independence, the American government loses a chance to encourage, within the world of Islam, recognition by non-Arab Muslims that they need not permanently accept Arab domination, or the Arab supremacist ideology of which Islam has always been a vehicle.
This could have consequences for the Iranians, so many of whom have become disgusted, because of the past quarter-century of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Islam. Yet they still cannot quite see their way to jettisoning Islam, possibly for another "religious identity" (name-tags being so very important in the Middle East, where the idea of the individual, the Leibnizian monad floating in the universe, is too frightening to contemplate), most likely Zoroastrianism. It is not the content that matters in that, but rather the notion that one can choose something that is specifically Persian, and that emphasizes the Trojan-horse gift of those primitive Arabs to the superior civilization of the Persians.
It is not hard to imagine that an independent Kurdistan could worry Syria and Iran: by agreement with the Americans, standing in for the Turks, that no territorial demands would be made on Turkey -- and by agreement with the Turks, who will not be admitted to the E.U. and need the Americans more than ever, that no harm would be done, or hostility demonstrated, to that Kurdish state.
What do we see, however? We see Condoleeza Rice lecturing and hectoring the Kurds. This is the woman who, like her Boss, claimed that those who were doubtful about the Administration's Democracy-Is-On-the-March view of Iraq (with no clear explanation of how, even were such to be true, it would improve the world-wide position of Infidels, or help to weaken Islam) were akin to those who scoffed about post-war Occupied Germany and Occupied Japan. If she failed to see the difference between the complete destruction and defeat of Nazi Germany and militarist Japan, as compared to Iraq, where the reigning ideology, Islam, has not been and cannot be defeated through military means alone, she needs a course in history and another in logic.
And from today's New Duranty Times, by way of a supplement to the Reuters' story above, we have this reported by Dexter Filkins:Friday's attack in Mosul came as Iraqi leaders in Baghdad reached tentative agreement on the role of Islam in the state, Iraqi leaders said. Under the deal, the constitution would designate Islam as "a main source of legislation," and would prohibit the passing of any legislation that contradicted Islam's "fixed principles."Iraqi leaders said they had also reached a tentative agreement to relegate marriage and family matters to adjudication by clerics, an arrangement opposed by secular leaders and women's groups here, Iraqi leaders said.
The tentative agreements on Islam were brokered by the American ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, according to a Kurdish negotiator who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing the delicacy of the talks. The Kurdish leader said that in both cases, Mr. Khalilzad had sided with Shiite leaders in backing a more expansive role for Islam. That, the Kurd said, angered many of the secular-minded Iraqis who have been fighting for a stricter separation between Islam and the state.
According to the Kurdish leader, the secular Iraqis had pushed for language that would have narrowed the circumstances under which legislation would be deemed to be in conflict with Islam. And, according to the Kurd, the secular Iraqis had wanted marriage and family disputes to be adjudicated by civil courts, not by clerics.
"Your American ambassador is giving an Islamic character to the state," the Kurdish leader said. "You spent all this money and all this blood to bring an Islamic republic here."
"We are very worried," he said.
I have posted here before about the mistake of sending a Muslim as our ambassador. No doubt, in the vulgar calculations of those in Washington, it seemed like a bright idea. You know, the way former governor of Massachusetts John Volpe was sent as the American Ambassador to Italy, where he made a terrible impression. Apparently his being an Italo-American was supposed to impress Italians; instead they were insulted that this boorish former contractor, who knew no Italian, was imposed on them. And the same with the Vatican, when the former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn was sent there: his only qualification for this post, which required someone of subtlety, was that he was a Catholic, and this was considered quite enough.
To imagine that the Arabs of Iraq would accept Khalilzad shows how little the American government knows. He is a lesser Muslim, a non-Arab Muslim. I assume that he is Sunni, and in Washington this may have been seen as an asset --but will the 60% of the population that is Shi'a be inclined to fully trust him?
He may be winning points for himself, as the "good Muslim" (the "top Muslim") in the Administration, but here is the problem with Khalilzad -- though "secular" himself (one assumes), he does not see Islam as the problem. Having grown up outside an Islamic society (he left Afghanistan long ago), he may think that it is only Taliban-style, or Saudi-style, Sharia that threatens. But when Islam is declared to be the final authority, and the Sharia is not fully imposed, but is regarded ans the imposing and unforgettable model, the malevolent ideal, the effect on the lives of people will be great. The "secular" Iraqis -- the real secular Iraqis, and not simply Ba'athists ("Ba'athism" was not nearly the secular alternative to Islam that some paint it, but simply an ideological tool for the Sunnis, in a country where they were 20% of the population, to retain control through the fig-leaf of Ba'athism, that peeled off a certain number of Shi'a from what would otherwise be sectarian-based opposition) include some Sunnis and some Shi'a. One doubts that Chalabi or Allawi, who are among the latter, are delighted with Khalilzad's performance, but what can they do?
The Kurds, now sensing the betrayal-in-the-making, who precisely because they have an identity that goes beyond, or even works against, Islam, must regard the present American Ambassador, despite his being himself a "secular" Muslim, as someone who does not recognize the need to limit Islam's power, and in every way possible.
Or perhaps the problem is one of careerism. Possibly Khalilzad simply wants to have a quick though hollow "success" -- as it can be depicted in Washington -- by surrendering much, too much, to those "immoderate Muslims" pushing for Islam. Hell, he's got his career to think of as "top Muslim" (can a job heading some Foundation Project involved in Outreach to Muslims by the American government be far behind? Or perhaps a university presidency, just to show how wonderfully fair to Muslims we are? Oh, you can expect big things for Zalmay Khalizad, even if back in Iraq, the women will be wearing black and the beer vendors be murdered in the streets -- don't worry about them, think of his career, his life).
And so it goes. Another day in the life of the farce.
Posted by Robert at August 20, 2005 10:43 AM
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A few nights ago in a rare lucid and balanced moment the BBC broadcast a program about the "occupation" of Germany after WWII. The most striking moment to me in a 90 minute program was a German officer describing the 7 week re-education he went through and how it introduced him to the word "tolerance", a word he said he was not familiar with.
It made me think that the noble effort in Iraq will fail. The allies re-educated Nazis and (largely) eradicated their ideology in the bulk of Germany. We can't even talk of re-educating Muslims or eradicating their ideology and are about to sell the secularised population we had a chance with down the river.
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at August 20, 2005 11:06 AM
Londonistan;
"We can't even talk of re-educating Muslims..."
The teflon shield of religion.
Posted by: t-ham at August 20, 2005 12:34 PM
Hugh,
Gotta give you credit for a unique understanding of both the politics and the real threat here.
Isn't it bland stupidity to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory in Iraq, so far a WINNING WAR ?
The mainstream media who worship "multiculturalism" will not pick up on this. Your designation of the 'ambassador' his motives and his ignorance, is priceless.
A federalist non Sharia state, or let loose the internecine dogs of conflict.
Posted by: dgene at August 20, 2005 12:56 PM
You hit it on the head. How can Rice and Bush
be so stupid. At least we all knew what kind
of evil snake Clinton was now Bush is creating
another islamic nation of fanatics that we will
have to fight again one way or the other.
We need a new party the Democrats and Republicans
are playing us in a game of two card monty and
the free wrold is losing.
at August 20, 2005 1:36 PM
For those unaware of the history of the Kurds, before being conquered by the Muslims they followed the religion known as Yazidi. In an interview with Nir Rosen of the New York Times, Gen. Rostam Hamid Rahim, a member of Kurdistan's regional parliament commented extensively on Kurdish history, prospects, etc.. The interview is worth reading in its entirety but here is a snippet:
http://www.epic-usa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=607
''The [Saddam] regime killed 182,000 people in the Anfal campaign and destroyed more than 5,000 villages,'' Rostam declared, ''and no Muslim cleric said anything.'' Voicing a frequent Kurdish refrain, he mourned the loss of the Kurds' pre-Islamic religion. ''Our original religion was Yazidi, and they came by the sword to make us Muslims,'' he said. Then he added, ''We should replace mosques with discotheques.''
For an introduction to the Yazidi religion, here is the Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazidi
As you can see, if you read the interview with General Rahim, he is no fool and can see the lay of the land. If only our media were not so intolerably ignorant.
Posted by: Mentat at August 20, 2005 1:39 PM
From a post at LGF
-Arming, training and using Nato airforce to help KLA islamic terrorists in Kosovo and Bosnia [X]Check
-Funding Palestine islamic thugs [X]Check
-Pressuring Europe to integrate Turkey [X] Check
-Pressuring Israel to relinquish its land and make concession after concession [X] Check
-Sacrifice US service men & women as well as billions of dollars to erect an Islamic Iraqi state [X)Check
-Being best buddies with the Saudis [X] Check
One got to wonder what it would be like if the US was not at war with terrorism.
Cheers!
at August 20, 2005 1:43 PM
Carolyn2:
Only those with a sense of humour and irony can see past ideological barriers to some sort of semblance of reality. I have a friend who refuses to read the Quran because, he says, being old, he must pick and choose what he reads as he only has so much time left. Meanwhile, he reads all sorts of drivel that reinforces his ideological preferences. I have figured out the real reason that he will not read the Quran - he is afraid of what he might find out! Ignorance is bliss!
Posted by: Mentat at August 20, 2005 2:02 PM
Norquist and Esposito must be snickering all the way to the Bank "Those idiots bought it. It was so easy." I cannot believe how out of touch our leaders are.
Pedestrian Infidel
The Pedestrian Infidel Blog
As some of you may be aware, I am working on a much larger website, not really a blog like my Pedestrian Infidel blog. More like Frontpage's Discover the Network site. I have reserved the URL names axisofislam.org and .com. This site will be naming names and will spare no one in the administration. It is coming along. I work on it an hour or so everyday but don't want to bring it online until I have it fairly complete. Hopefully in about 1 to 2 weeks. There will be Galleries of Shame for stupid infidels with influence like Rice, muslim agents like Norquist, apologists like Esposito and Armstrong, and infidel organizations harming America like the ACLU. Another part will be the Axis of Islam section identifying the most influential Islamic states and organizations and their leaders, like CAIR, Saudi Arabia and the OIC. After I bring it online, I will welcome suggestions and additions to the Galleries.
Posted by: pedestrian infidel at August 20, 2005 2:38 PM
This news will not be greeted well by the country’s women or religious minorities, but meshes perfectly with Iranian goals. An Arab News article, informs the reader of Iran’s position concerning democratic reforms. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of Iran, remains firm in his short and long-term program to the Islamic Majlis (parliament). Western ideas concerning government are incompatible with Islam and his new administration “bravely rejects all alien political ideas”.
Mr. Ahmadinejad’s “program,” a 7,000 word document, describes the United States and an Islamic Middle East as incompatible entities with the former eventually collapsing while the latter, inspired by Iran’s “divine system”, prevails. The Arab News article continues,
“The creation of an “Islamic pole” is the key objective of what the document refers to as “the 20-year strategy” of the Islamic Republic. It is not clear who developed that strategy and whether or not Ahmadinejad, who is elected for a four-year term, hopes to remain in power for two decades.”
“The goal of the “Islamic pole” would be to unite the world under the banner of Islam, as the “final Divine message” and “the only True Faith.” “
Mr. Ahmadinejad’s objective concerning the Iranian state is to control all aspects of its citizens.
“The state would follow the citizens from birth to death, ensuring their health, education, well-being and leisure. It will guide them as to what to read and write and what “cultural products” to consume so as not to be contaminated by Western ideas.”
Iran’s president is honest by divulging his plans and is not shy concerning his ambition. Hitler revealed his intentions via Mein Kampf, but the free world was unconcerned until it was too late. Will the West ignore Mr. Ahmadinejad as well? Will the shift in policy by the United States concerning Islam’s influence in Iraqi politics be the “Czechoslovakia” concession to Iranian goals?
Posted by: Eschwapp at August 20, 2005 4:25 PM
Thanks dgene,
But I can't take credit for it ,it is a post from El ,a poster at LGF
at August 20, 2005 6:50 PM
A note to President Bush-
May the Farce Be With you.
-and a link to Hugh's article.
Email address:
president@whitehouse.gov
(Maybe beating Rumsfeld over the head with a wooden decoy duck wouldn't hurt either... since that's what our soldiers appear to have morphed into ...as the cynics in power allow the troops' blood to be used to write the words "SHARIA LAW" across the map of Iraq.)
Posted by: BigSleep at August 20, 2005 7:23 PM
Hugh,
You are so right. Iraq has become a truly sickening farce. The absolute idiocy is beyond maddening because it is beyond explanation. We will all have to eventually answer for our actions in this struggle and I wouldn't want to be Rice in the harsh glare of history.
Also, in response to your post on my post, I think it would be easier to convince someone who is looking for reasons to leave Iraq to add the reasons we offer, than someone who is set on finding reasons to stay.
We need to work on these politicians and give them support when they make the right noises. The have their fingers in the wind. They're looking for direction.
We have to work on these people, don't we? Shouldn't we?
Best, Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca JW at August 20, 2005 7:38 PM
The sickening thing for me is to realize that the crew running this country represents the best that we can elect. They are not the best thinkers and planners to protect us globally and domestically,but they are the best we can elect..sadly. I am serious about them being the best because moving to the left in future elections will be a disaster. Rice was apparently an affirmative action appointment and we see the results but she is certainly not a loose cannon. She is hand in hand with George in her false notions of what is going to achieve security for this country. Throwing Israel to the wolves is going to be this administration's shame for eternity.
Posted by: pismopal at August 20, 2005 8:13 PM
Every man and woman who has died in Iraq will have died in vain if Iraq's constitution has Sharia as the basis for its law.
Please, I hope that this is just a nightmare and I will wake up and it will not be so!
at August 20, 2005 8:34 PM
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