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Iraq faces political paralysis
Incompetence, lack of experience and vested interests are threatening to destroy democracy
By Mohammad Akef Jamal, Special to Gulf NewsPublished: 00:00 January 19, 2012
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National unity governments are the exception and not the norm in democracies. These governments are usually formed after countries are subjected to serious security challenges that can only be addressed by overcoming disagreements between different political blocs.
However, Iraq does not face a grave threat to its national security from abroad; the danger lies within and is a result of the clashing interests of different political elite and blocs. Its government is paralysed and incapable of guiding the country out of trouble.
Iraq has been beset by endless disagreements following the US withdrawal. There were moves to end the coordination that laid the foundation of the political process in the country, the very process that led to the formation of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government. Endless accusations and statements are traded every day. No one is spared, not even President Jalal Talabani.
And despite the chaos, confusing statements, the overuse of the freedom of expression and a disregard for human rights, many of the present events in Iraq are not spontaneous. Rather, they are a result of the incompetence or the total lack of experience of many key Iraqi politicians. And that is a result of their attitude, placing their own narrow political interests above those of the country.
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Incompetence, lack of experience and vested interests are threatening to destroy democracy
By Mohammad Akef Jamal, Special to Gulf NewsPublished: 00:00 January 19, 2012
0
National unity governments are the exception and not the norm in democracies. These governments are usually formed after countries are subjected to serious security challenges that can only be addressed by overcoming disagreements between different political blocs.
However, Iraq does not face a grave threat to its national security from abroad; the danger lies within and is a result of the clashing interests of different political elite and blocs. Its government is paralysed and incapable of guiding the country out of trouble.
Iraq has been beset by endless disagreements following the US withdrawal. There were moves to end the coordination that laid the foundation of the political process in the country, the very process that led to the formation of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government. Endless accusations and statements are traded every day. No one is spared, not even President Jalal Talabani.
And despite the chaos, confusing statements, the overuse of the freedom of expression and a disregard for human rights, many of the present events in Iraq are not spontaneous. Rather, they are a result of the incompetence or the total lack of experience of many key Iraqi politicians. And that is a result of their attitude, placing their own narrow political interests above those of the country.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
