Today in Iraq
This article about corruption in Iraq is stunning, but not surprising. And it doesn't even mention the oil sector--where, I'm told, the 30% rule applies: at least 1/3 of the revenues are, literally, siphoned off.
Two points: Obviously, there is absolutely nothing the U.S. military presence can do about this. And less obviously, there is very little the Iraqis can do about this, either. It is woven into the fabric of a tribal society. It was endemic during Saddam's time--with most of the patronage and kickbacks and special deals going to members of his Tikriti gang. It is endemic through the region, perhaps the single most powerful reason why democracy simply hasn't worked among Arab tribal countries. In a "country" like Iraq, which isn't a country at all, the probability of corruption paralyzes the possibility of establishing a credible central government. In each of the regions, government operates for the financial benefit of those in charge, not the people.
This is another reason why Bush's "Freedom Agenda" has always sounded so foolish in the region. It is also another reason to begin the troop withdrawals now.
Add Your Comment:
Most Popular »
- Best of the Decade: Sci-Fi Movies
- CNN Poll: Man Made Global Warming Takes a Hit
- Why Wells Fargo isn't paying back TARP
- "How Will Dave Ever Make Fun of Sex Scandals Again?"
- Is Harry Reid Burning Out?
- How Will Obama Pay For Stimulus 2.1? (or 3.0, 3.1, whatever you want to call it)
- A Jobs Speech with Elbows
- War of the Supermen: Q&A With Matt Idelson
- The Health Reform Abortion Wars, Part Deux
- Economists Growing More Wary of the Senate Health Bill
- The Truth Behind the Leaked Climate-Change E-Mails
- Mexico Witness Protection: Corrupt Program, New Killings
- Tiger Woods Must Face His Fans' Moral Outrage
- Helicopter Parents: The Backlash Against Overparenting
- Taiwan: World's Lowest Birthrate Could Affect Society
- How Strong Is the Evidence Against Amanda Knox?
- Creating Jobs: Can Obama Government Boost Employment?
- U.S. Doesn't Know Where bin Laden Is; Time to Let Go
- That Viral Thing: Facebook's Secret Code
- Humanure: Goodbye, Toilets. Hello, Extreme Composting













RSS