Chronicling the fiasco

At this point, all it seems I can do is relate one ominous, sad development after another. The prime minister of Iraq, Maliki, is being torn between his need to placate the US government (which wants to let Israel continue to attack Lebanon) and placate his own Shiite constituency (which is anti-Israel). This NYT article explains:

WASHINGTON, July 25 — President Bush and the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, embraced the same vision of an emerging democratic Iraq today, but they made it clear they still have deep differences over Israel’s campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah.

Mr. Bush praised the courage of the Iraqi people, who he said were making “enormous sacrifices” to secure their own freedom. And Mr. Maliki said he and the president discussed how to build “a democratic, united, flourishing Iraq.” The leaders also announced a plan to significantly bolster American troop strength in Baghdad to help quell continuing violence in the city.

I guess as the Iraqis stand up, we will stand up more. The US has always propped up people in the Middle East, who then turn around and do things against US interests. But the violence with which we're doing the propping, and the quickness with which alliances are shifting under our feet seem to both be increasing.

And it looks like Muqtada al-Sadr's Iraqi Shi'ite militia, the Mahdi Army, might be joining in on Hezbollah's side. Sullivan links to a New Republic blog post (yes, I still link to them even though they think I'm a "blogofascist" for supporting Lamont and calling people "wankers") which quotes The Washington Times:

A senior member of Muqtada al-Sadr's Iraqi Shi'ite militia, the Mahdi Army, says the group is forming a squadron of up to 1,500 elite fighters to go to Lebanon.

The plan reflects the potential of the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah to strengthen radical elements in Iraq and neighboring countries and to draw other regional players into the Lebanon conflict.

"We are choosing the men right now," said Abu Mujtaba, who works in the loosely organized following of radical Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. "We are preparing the right men for the job."

If they're only sending 1,500, there should still be plenty left over to fight the Sunnis, and us if they decide we're too cozy with Israel or their Sunni foes.

Many are declaring a unified Iraq a lost cause. Galbraith had an Op-Ed in todays times (can't link of course, but Sullivan and one of his readers opine on it) saying that partition is the only way to go. Sullivan posts an email from a soldier in Iraq which says Baghdad is completely out of control.

There's a lot out there, none of it good. I wonder if Lieberman will change his mind that invading Iraq was a good idea.