Joost Hiltermann
Joost Hiltermann
Joost Hiltermann is the Program Director, MENA for International Crisis Group. He was previously its Chief Operating Officer...
caused directly perception
even if it wasn't directly caused by Sunni insurgents, the perception will be that it was.
austere government inclusive iraq looks situation
The situation in Iraq looks austere and the implementation of a new all inclusive government is very important for better security.
fell front happened money projects spent
Very little happened on the reconstruction front and money has not been allocated properly. Most was spent on projects with no follow-up and so projects fell apart.
creating forces iraqis kinds problems
Most Iraqis want the American forces out because they see them as creating all kinds of problems.
except natural tremendous
It couldn't come about except by a tremendous bloodbath. This is not a natural solution.
control goals occupying power seen term
The Americans are seen as an occupying power with long term goals to control oil.
physically role stand time
But at the same time they play an important role because they physically stand between militias that are at each other's throats.
december election good logic
The good thing about the December election was that Sunnis participated but the logic of sectarianism was already set in motion.
agendas current dangerous forces moderate political situation understand
There are clerics who are very moderate and who understand what the current situation demands, and there are clerics who have political agendas and who marshal forces for their own gain. Those are the dangerous ones.
bad expose families people
There's a lot of remote-controlling going on. You have here all the people who don't want to expose their families to violence, kidnapping, bad schools, etc.
boost definitely incident
The mosque incident will definitely boost his cause.
absence actions almost given hurt insurgent kept might mouth ok responding rule
Under Saddam, you usually were OK as long as you kept your mouth shut. Now you might get hurt or even killed almost arbitrarily, given the absence of rule of law, the sectarian fighting, insurgent actions and U.S. carelessness in responding to attacks.
absence actions almost given hurt insurgent kept might mouth ok responding rule
Under Saddam, you usually were OK as long as you kept your mouth shut, ... Now you might get hurt or even killed almost arbitrarily, given the absence of rule of law, the sectarian fighting, insurgent actions and U.S. carelessness in responding to attacks.
attacks believe holy insurgents methods stop
He has angered insurgents who don't believe in his methods or in attacks on holy sites. But that won't stop him.