Since troops withdrew at the end of 2011, Iraq has receded from the American public consciousness. Just consider the U.S. presidential campaign where the economy – understandably – predominates. President Obama and Mitt Romney rarely even mention the country we invaded.
A report issued on Tuesday by the Council on Foreign Relations should prod people to think more seriously about Iraq and America’s continuing role there.
Iraq has undoubtedly made progress. Violence is at its lowest level since 2003, the economy is growing modestly, oil production is up and foreign investment is trickling in, helping Iraqis rebuild infrastructure. But devastating attacks still occur and a political struggle between Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other political leaders has intensified. So have tensions between Kurds and Arabs. The report’s author, Douglas Ollivant of the New America Foundation, also says intra-Shia violence, which has not been much of a factor in recent years, is a serious possibility. The spillover effects of war in Syria and turmoil in Egypt and elsewhere only add to the uncertainties.
Mr. Ollivant thinks he’s identified how the U.S. can help Iraqis manage internal threats, including with improved intelligence cooperation, support for the electoral process and fostering better relations between Iraq and Turkey. That’s all very reasonable. The candidates also have a responsibility to share their ideas with voters.
original source: http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/15/remember-iraq/