[a_Turk]

Is this the start of something new, or just the same old games anew?..

[a_Turk]

ping

[goldstategop]

The State Department and CIA loathe him. For some funny reason no one can fathom, a pro-Westen, Arab democrat is viewed by the folks over there as not being an "authentic" Arab. Its the same loathing liberals look upon blacks and Jews who desert to the conservative camp with.

[Shermy]

Here's an article from earlier today.

Iraq Opposition Leader Greeted in Southern Town (Chalabi)

I can say this: I like the guy watching him speak and appear on tv in the past. Iraq isn't full of saints...the pickings are slim.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I'm watching this situation closely. There are so many twists and turns in all of it. So many scenarios that could actually be at play.

The one thing I did appreciate, is that the man said he thinks the US and her allies, needs to be there until a new government can be established. I think we can get an interim Government in there way before that, and we can help them achieve free elections in less than a two year time frame. I also think the new Government will need help until they get security under control, and are up and running smoothly. But I also think the Iraqi populas is intelligent and more sophisticated than people realize. This will in all likelyhood, go smoother than planned IMHO.

I see the proverbial glass as 3/4 full.

[FreeCanuckistan]

This is just a 'starting point'. I don't think this is worth criticising, when you consider the deeds of the currently outgoing Iraqi regime.

More importantly.....the US is moving plans along, quite nicely. The message is clear......Hussein is out of power.

And under the circumstances, this is being done with an alarming lack.....of dead humans.

[Beck_isright]

Something new. By eliminating U.N. interference you will see a Turkish style democracy designed and implemented over the next 3 years. I can foresee regional then national elections as we rebuild the country and destroy the remains of the Ba'ath Socialists. The problems with this are still to the East and West; we have to get rid of Iran and Syria's regimes to insure stability in the region.

V

[Dog Gone]

It seems to me that every Iraqi, except the war criminals in the Saddam regime, is entitled to participate in the political process that will be unfolding.

Chalabi clearly has a role, and we'll have to see what happens.

[optimistically_conservative]

Is this the start of something new, or just the same old games anew?..

That's always the million dollar question - will he spark old rivals, turn on the US/UK for his own power grab, be seen as a puppet, etc.

Time will tell. I do think he's been placed well, South of Baghdad in an important Islamic location - geographically removed from the capital but where he can prove himself by taking the "crusade" criticism off us.