Middle East Politics.Net » Sunni http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Al-Maliki: Walking a Fine Line in Iraq http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/24/maliki-walking-a-fine-line-in-iraq/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/24/maliki-walking-a-fine-line-in-iraq/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:28:06 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2841 Recently, concerns have arisen both inside and outside of Iraq about the intentions of current prime minister Nouri al-Maliki. Over the past months, he has exerted great control over the government and the state in order to promote a strong central government and prevent the dissolution of Iraq. The intensely nationalist leader has made some bold moves as of late, attempting to sideline political rivals, ordering the Iraqi security forces to act in questionable circumstances, and mandating the arrests of some prominent Sunni leaders.

Some Iraqi citizens fear a return to the days of authoritarian rule much like those under Saddam Hussein. A few even worry he will become the next Saddam, although a more benevolent one. As the Shiite leader increasingly asserts himself in the nation, Iraqi Sunnis and Kurds remain uncertain about their futures.

Al-Maliki’s movement towards a central, authoritarian-style government goes against the strategy of democracy and equality that the US has been encouraging in the state, but it may be necessary to hold the country together. In order to keep all of the opposing forces in the different regions united, a very strong central government may indeed be the answer right now. Besides, supporters of al-Maliki claim that he is very aware of the limits to his power, citing the weakness of the state’s army and the influence of the Shiite elites in the nation.

With the security deal expected to be finalized in the near future, al-Maliki would gain even more power and fame, cementing his historic position as the leader who ended the long presence of the US troops.

Haley Hackendale

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/24/maliki-walking-a-fine-line-in-iraq/feed/ 0 Payday Worries for Sons of Iraq http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/11/payday-worries-for-sons-of-iraq/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/11/payday-worries-for-sons-of-iraq/#comments Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:09:10 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2254 This past Monday was yet another milestone in the process of transferring control of Iraq from the US military to Iraqi officials. As discussed in an earlier post, thousands of Sunni militia men known as the Sons of Iraq were supposed to be incorporated into the Iraqi government. Yesterday was the first official sign of this incorporation, as members of the Sons of Iraq stood in line on payday – the difference, however, was that instead of being paid by the US military (as has been done in the past), the men were paid by the Iraqi government.

In the past, members of the paramilitary force had worked alongside the US military and had received compensation from them. Now, as official members of the Iraqi police force or Iraqi military, they can potentially earn up to double their previous monthly salaries, plus additional reimbursements for excessively dangerous work.

Just because it was payday didn’t mean that everyone in line on Monday was happy about being there. Several men expressed feelings of impatience and uncertainty because, even though they were receiving payment from the Iraqi government, they hadn’t actually been placed in a permanent position in the Iraqi forces. They do not trust the Shiite-led Iraqi government to take as good of care of them as did the US government, and they are getting nervous because they see no tangible job options in the near future. Violence in Iraq is down largely due to the efforts of the Sons of Iraq, and if this transition back to an Iraqi government is to go smoothly, these men must be successfully incorporated into defense and security forces.

Haley Hackendale

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/11/payday-worries-for-sons-of-iraq/feed/ 0 Lebanon: Hezbollah and Sunni Leaders Meet to Discuss Unity http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/27/lebanon-hezbullah-and-sunni-leaders-meet-to-discuss-unity/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/27/lebanon-hezbullah-and-sunni-leaders-meet-to-discuss-unity/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:53:14 +0000 sdemetri http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1739 For the first time in over two years, Hezbollah and Sunni leaders met in Lebanon in order to address the issue of reconciliation between the two groups. Hezbollah’s Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah and Sunni leader Saad Hariri met Sunday to discuss the path towards peace and unity, issuing a joint statement that emphasized “an affirmation of national unity and civil peace and the need to take all measures to prevent tension.” The meeting comes in the midst of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman’s continuing efforts to promote national reconciliation and unity, and follows months of preliminary meetings between lawmakers, but this is the first face-to-face meeting between Nasrallah and Hariri since the end of the Second Lebanon War. The months and years preceding the meeting have been marked by violence and tension between the groups, fueling fears of a backslide into civil war. Uncertainty still abounds, particularly as the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons has yet to be directly addressed, but according to their statement, both parties have affirmed their commitment “to reinforce dialogue and to avoid strife regardless of political differences.”

Stefanie Demetriades

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/27/lebanon-hezbullah-and-sunni-leaders-meet-to-discuss-unity/feed/ 0 The Arab League Returns to Iraq http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/06/the-arab-league-returns-to-iraq/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/06/the-arab-league-returns-to-iraq/#comments Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:07:39 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1264 An ambassador from the Arab League arrived in Baghdad on Monday, ready to reestablish a relationship with the Iraqi government. Egyptian diplomat Hani Khalaf was sent by the organization, as there has not been a representative from the Arab League stationed in Iraq in over a year. The previous ambassador, Mukhtar Lamani, quit in early 2007, citing extreme disillusionment with the organization’s lack of action in response to the suffering in Iraq.

The U.S. has urged many predominantly Sunni states in the region to renew ties with the now Shiite-led government in order to make Iraq less politically isolated from its neighbors. Many Arab states have been hesitant to do so, believing their compliance with these requests could be interpreted as endorsing or condoning the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003. Jordan was the first to jump on the bandwagon – King Abdullah II was the first leader of an Arab nation to visit the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein when he traveled to Iraq this past August.

Haley Hackendale

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/06/the-arab-league-returns-to-iraq/feed/ 0 Sunnis and Shiites Join Forces in Rebuilding Iraq http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/03/sunnis-and-shiites-join-forces-in-rebuilding-iraq/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/03/sunnis-and-shiites-join-forces-in-rebuilding-iraq/#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:50:21 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1176 One step closer to getting the nation back on its feet, the Iraqi government made an effort to unite rival sects of Islam on Wednesday when it incorporated 54,000 Sunni militia men known as the Sons of Iraq into its structure. This outreach, backed by the United States, is part of a larger plan to absorb nearly 100,000 Sunni Muslims into the Shiite-led government and to employ them in the military, police force and other government agencies.The purpose of these efforts is to alleviate distrust between the parties and to give Sunni Muslims a greater hand in the future of Iraq.

The Sons of Iraq, who up until this point had operated under US authority, apparently felt betrayed by the United States. They had helped American forces in Iraq curb support for Al Qaeda and quell insurgencies but were fearful that they would face discrimination in the Shiite-dominated government. The Iraqi government has its own concerns though, as leaders question whether these Sunni Muslims will be loyal to the ideals and purposes set forth and whether they will be patient enough during the incorporation process.

Only 20% of the expected 100,000 will remain in the military or police force, and the plan is for others to either work as government bureaucrats or to be trained for skilled work in mechanics or carpentry. How well the Sunni militia men take this news will be something to look out for in the near future.

Haley Hackendale

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