Why Iraq isn't getting any better

In one easy lesson.

I have a bit of a love hate relationship with Gwynne Dyer. He is so incredibly dour that I find it hard sometimes to relate to him but his insight is usually so spot on, and his thinly veiled sarcasm is so biting that I inevitably find myself really really impressed with what he has to say. Today is no exception.

If you're like me, you are having a hard time actually getting a handle on what the hell is actually going on in Iraq. Who's in charge, why is the US still there, and when is it going to get better. I hear crap in the news but I have no perspective with which to analyse it. I hate to admit it but my understanding of the forces that be in Iraq are largely a mystery to me. Yeah yeah I know all the relevant bits about the US occupation and mounting casualties and the insurgents... yada yada yada but I have NO concept of what the elections actually meant with regard to the opposing factions and I have no idea of the warring internal politics going on right now over there. Largely cause the media has done such a piss poor job of even TRYING to sort out the facts. I guess they figure most westerners are too stupid to make heads or tails out of the quagmire that is Iraqi politics. Maybe they're right.

That brings me to Gwynne Dyer. Who is he you ask? He is an independent Canadian Journalist with a knack for peeling away the crap of a situation and explaining an issue in terms that make sense. I dunno if he is right in his consclusions but he does such a darn good job of crystalizing a situation that I am willing to bet his take on an issue is probably a pretty good one.

So if you want to understand in one easy lesson what the heck is going on in Iraq and why didn't the highly touted elections seem to accomplish anything over there, go right now and read this short essay by Gwynne. You'll be glad you did and then you can go out and impress all your friends with how knowledgeable you are on Iraqi politics .... That is if any of your friends actually care about Iraqi politics ... which they probably don't ... in which case ..... OH nevermind just go read it.

Gwynne Dyer Essay

IA