George W. Bush pretended to give sovereignty to Iraq on June 28, 2004 five years ago. It was another of his cruel jokes where his deeds failed to match his words. Iraq was no more sovereign than the Thirteen Colonies were under King George prior to July 4, 1776. Iraq had no control over its territory and no control over foreign troops occupying its country.
Today that changed. American occupation forces withdrew from Iraqi cities and towns and turned governance over to Iraqis. This is what real sovereignty is about. There will be many difficulties ahead because a political solution has continues to elude the residents and leaders of the country. Violence is likely to increase, especially along the border with Kurdistan. The Kurds seek to reclaim land taken from them and Kirkuk is likely to be central to this struggle.
Absent a political solution and now absent American forces attempting to provide security there is a real threat of civil war. The Iraqis know this and understand that their failure to accommodate each others' concerns, responsibilities and rights to oil revenues will likely result in a decline in security. Only when facing a crisis situation however may these differing groups force one another into some sort of agreement. Absent that whomever emerges as the strongest group with the strongest leader will take control. If this sounds much like Iraq under Saddam Hussein it is exactly that situation. I fear our long struggle will result in no progress for the people of Iraq and nothing but heartache and loss for America. This war was folly from the start.
