[Mb-civic] For Success in Iraq, Change Course - Joseph R. Biden Jr. - Washington Post

[William Swiggard]

For Success in Iraq, Change Course

By Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005; Page A31

The Bush administration's mishandling of Iraq has brought us to the 
brink of a national security debacle. To salvage the situation, the 
administration must fundamentally change course inside Iraq, in the 
region and at the international level.

Stabilizing Iraq is a political as well as a military challenge. The 
administration is taking a huge gamble by going forward with a 
referendum for a constitution that is more likely to divide Iraq than to 
unite it.

A majority of Sunni Arabs are likely to vote against the constitution, 
but not the two-thirds needed to defeat it. That will further embitter them.

The consequences for U.S. interests could be devastating. Sectarian 
violence might escalate into a full-blown civil war, drawing in Syria, 
Iran and Turkey and turning Iraq into a new Lebanon. Even worse, Iraqi 
Sunnis could forge stronger alliances with foreign jihadists, turning a 
swath of Iraq into a pre-Sept. 11 Afghanistan for a new generation of 
terrorists.

Stranded in the middle of this mayhem would be brave American soldiers, 
their lives on the line for a failing policy set by others.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091301882.html?nav=hcmodule
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