This is important because it shows the Sunnis instinctively thought of the situation in two terms (either be part of the politcal process, or ally with Al Qaeda and fight for who knows how long). There wasn't the ONE option of fighting the U.S. troops no matter what.
Whether or not this can be sustained after we leave Iraq is another question. I'm still not convinced this won't blow up into civil war a few years after we leave.
Nice detail from Time...
"Whether or not this can be sustained after we leave Iraq is another question. I'm still not convinced this won't blow up into civil war a few years after we leave."
A legitimate concern which makes the US Army's effort on the ground in Iraq to integrate Sunnis and Shiites into the same units in the new Iraqi military all the more important. If they can work in a cohesive manner in the military, that can go along way towards cementing ties between the broader communities. Nothing seals loyalty like the camraderie of battle. And in addition the brave efforts of Sunnis to protect Shiites from Zarqawi's mass murder attempts of Shiites will go along way towards building trust between the two communities.
The Shiite-lead govt. needs to work extra hard however to show deference to the Sunni legislators in the new parliament and to work with them to advance their priorities.
If this all happens, we can avoid civil war in Iraq. They've managed to surmount alot of obstacles so far to avoid civil war, I think they can continue to do so even after we leave. If nothing else, the Shiite leaders know it's in their interests to avoid that.
Well, this must be the civil war the press keeps touting!