« The Idea Battle | Main | Do as I say, not as I do »
August 26, 2005
Iraq: At Another Crossroad
If I were a Sunni, why would I agree to the latest Iraq constitution proposal? The NY Times, among others, reports here. Under the current version, the country would divide into autonomous regions. The issue here is that the Shiites would control 9 of 18 Iraqi provinces holding the largest oil fields. The Kurds would control 3 in the north but have designs on Kirkut, another rich oil province. The Sunnis want each region permanently restricted to 3 districts. They fear that they will be left with little if each region controls much of its own oil revenue. They also fear that the Shiites will align their region with Iran more than any centralized Iraqi government.
Why would the Sunnis want to agree to this constitution? What is in it for them? Any agreement between parties has to be one of mutual benefit. This is as true in a macro context, international, as it is in a micro context, interpersonal issues. Though there are many interrelated issues it does seem that the Kurds and Shiites come out way ahead in this particular scenario, while the Sunnis are clear losers. They didn't help themselves by boycotting the elections, but nonetheless, the Kurds and Shiites must understand that the Sunnis are only going to increase their support of an insurgency if they do not obtain increased benefits from the agreement.
Posted by Chip Spear at August 26, 2005 9:04 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.politicalsports.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/103
Comments
Catalina stresses mutableness:Arabianize Saviour Donaldson tanner
Posted by: california hotel and casino in las vegas at September 20, 2006 5:42 PM