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War and Democracy: What’s Going on in Iraq and at Home

Iraqi leaders submitted a draft of the new constitution to the National Assembly on August 22, 2005. The document was incomplete however, since disputes among the Sunnis, Shiites, and secular Iraqis remain.

Iraqis have given themselves an additional three days to work out these differences; some are hopeful, but others say that 72 hours just isn’t enough.

The tension in Iraq is mirrored in the U.S., where Americans are growing more critical of the war. Some Republicans are dispirited as well, but Bush’s view of the war is unwavering as he continues to speak out on the importance of staying the course.

Constitutional problems

Under Saddam Hussein, Sunni Arabs were the dominant ethnic group, although a minority in the total population, and they were in charge of Hussein’s military and Baath party while Shiite Arabs and non-Arab Kurds suffered persecution. The government was primarily secular. The January 30, 2005 elections based on majority rule upended this dynamic, empowering the religious Shiites and sidelining the Sunnis. Many Sunnis boycotted the election altogether, so very few Sunni candidates were elected.

The new constitution bans the Baath party and all symbols related to it. Further, it promotes a committee that purges former Baath members from government organizations. Sunnis want no reference to the Baath party in the constitution, though the document identifies the party as a racist, terrorist group.

Negotiators say that the main disagreement is over a provision in the constitution that allows individual provinces to declare themselves regions and unite with cooperating regions. Sunnis and secular Iraqis worry that Shiites will create a giant Shiite region in the south, where much of the Iraqi oil is concentrated. Critics claim that the provision could break up the country.

Another major dispute is one over Iraq’s identity. The constitution calls Iraq "part of the Islamic world and the Arabs are part of the Arab nation." The distinction appeases non-Arab Kurds, but enrages Sunni Arabs, who say that Iraq is first and foremost an Arab nation.

Arguments over the constitution endanger its passage. Sunni leaders threaten to instruct their people this time to turn out in great numbers and vote against the constitution when it is handed to voters in a referendum on October 15. Some worry that passage of the constitution without Sunni cooperation could lead to civil war.

Intensifying Iraq

The intense and dangerous conditions in Iraq have resulted in the death of 1,866 American soldiers, and many more Iraqis. One outspoken Republican Senator, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, likens the Iraq War to the Vietnam War and says that it’s time for the Bush administration to craft an exit strategy. Hagel said on This Week on ABC: "We should start figuring out how we get out of there. But with this understanding, we cannot leave a vacuum that further destabilizes the Middle East. I think our involvement there has destabilized the Middle East. And the longer we stay there, I think further destabilization will occur."

Although most Republicans stand behind the White House, Hagel’s remarks highlight Americans’ growing discomfort with the war, creating a tough spot for President Bush.

Bush, however, has not changed his opinion of the war. In a speech to veterans of foreign wars on August 23, he said that "the only way to defend our citizens where we live is to go after the terrorists where they live." Bush refuses to discuss an exit strategy, but he continues to equate Iraq with terrorism.

According to the Associated Press, Mr. Bush also suggested that pulling out of Iraq now would dishonor the men and women who died fighting there: "We owe them something...We will finish the task that they gave their lives for...by staying on the offensive against the terrorists, and building strong allies in Afghanistan and Iraq that will help us win and fight - fight and win the war on terror."

But one general says that winning Iraq and the war on terror requires more than fighting.

Winning Iraq

Major General Peter W. Chiarelli has written an essay on the importance of creating jobs, promoting local governments, and providing essential services to Iraqis.

Chiarelli’s work will be published in an issue of Military Review that focuses on lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chiarelli argues that simply training local security forces is only a short-term solution, and to create long-term security, Americans and Iraqis need to work together to build infrastructure and stimulate the economy in Iraq. He claims that reconstruction and democracy will prevent future generations of insurgents and terrorists, while force only deters these groups temporarily.

What do you think should be done in Iraq? Should we pull out, keep fighting, or change strategies? How has your opinion of the war changed over time?

What do you think?

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Update Posted on: 8/27/2005