The tragic story of Iraq as told by Evan Kohlmann

I'm posting this because it is perhaps the sanest account of what is happening in Iraq that I've seen to date. It really brings home the point that, having created an unfortunate chaotic situation, we have to engage with it with a view to regaining some sort of just and dignified position. I know it sounds completely idealistic but it seems to me that even if something was started on the wrong premise, there is always a chance to change our motivation. I say 'we' even though Canada is not fighting in Iraq because I feel we all bear the burden, and therefore responsibility, for the outcome of this war. It shouldn't have been started but there's no going back so let's think about how to make some space in this conflict -- some space to think about an ending that doesn't involve suffering for the next 10+ years. This is perhaps where the UN could make a difference. If it is incapable of dealing with this type of destabilizing influence then we need a different model for unity between nations. One of the most shocking quotes in the Salon interview is this:

"You know we're doing a bad job of communicating our own message when we're losing the propaganda war to people who cut other people's heads off on camera. Think about it: People in one of the most Westernized countries in the Middle East would rather trust al-Qaida than the United States. That's a terrible sign of things to come". -- Evan Kohlmann