[Sarajevo]

Allawi won that election and Maliki refuses to cede power, thus creating the deadlock (and subsequent deterioration of the security situation) we see today.

Another side of the issue is that Iraq needs a strong leader to hold the country together. Allawi isn't it. He hasn't demanded that Maliki step down, nor has he taken the proper course of action to push Maliki out.

The Sunni's in Anbar view Allawi as weak and ineffective. Many Sunni's are making plans (i.e. buying weapons and looking for safe haven in Syria or Jordan). They have no doubts that Iraq will return to civil war once the USF depart.

You wouldn't believe how many Sunni's wish that Saddam was back in office. Again- they know what to expect with a dictator. Western ideals aren't working for them.

FreedomPoster- Sorry, I just noticed that I forgot to ping you to this thread.

[Allegra]

Too bad there's not an Iraqi version of Ronald Reagan. ;-)

Aw, heck, too bad there's not a current American version of Ronald Reagan.

Like my grandmother used to say, if wishes were horses, we'd all ride.