Sidling Towards The Biden Partition Plan In Iraq

The Times reports on an interesting approach to rebuilding the Iraqi Army as part of the upcoming effort against ISIS:

One major initiative to roll back ISIS gains in Iraq, American officials said, is the establishment of national guard units that would be recruited locally and given the main security responsibilities in their home areas.

In an echo of the Sunni Awakening, in which Iraqi tribes made common cause with American forces to fight Al Qaeda in Iraq, some of the national guard units would be drawn from local tribes. But unlike the Awakening, the soldiers would formally be part of Iraq’s security structure and would be trained on Iraqi military bases. Reporting to local governors, they would also receive salaries and pensions from the government.

The plan is intended to rebuild the fighting capability that the Iraqi government lost after much of its army faded away in the face of the ISIS onslaught.

The decentralization of security responsibilities is also intended to ease sectarian tensions by giving Sunnis more control over their own affairs and reducing the need for the largely Shiite army to be deployed on their territory. And it would replace the ad hoc arrangements for paying Awakening members that eventually led to its demise.

“The people of Anbar will take on ISIL,” the State Department official added, using an alternative name for ISIS. “The people of Nineveh will take on ISIL in Nineveh, and they will have assistance from the national army when they need it.”

“One thing [new Iraqi Prime Minister] Abadi has said repeatedly,” the official added, “is that he is not going to use “military units from the south and go into areas in the north and west” to fight ISIS.

As to not using Shiite soldiers to fight for the Sunnis in Sunni Iraq, we all saw how well that worked when ISIS rolled into Sunniland last summer.

So the new plan seems to be to move away from the notion of a national army in favor of Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish (i.e., the Peshmerga) subdivisions. Might be better, can't be worse. Of course, that is one less national institutionm and an important one, to unite this artifical "country". Maybe they will keep a national mail service.

And of course, people stuck looking in the rear view mirror will recall that dropping the payments to the Anbar tribes that had expelled Al Qaeda in Iraq was one of the steps taken by then-PM Maliki that antagonized the Iraqi Sunnis.

Comments

[GMax]

First

[NK]

Wait... the Obamaniacs are going back to the Anbar Awakening and supporting local tribes against the ISIS savages? Hell, if they are going back to 2007 and putting the band back together, why not just put Cheney and Petraeus in charge?

[Danube on iPad]

"the establishment of national guard units that would be recruited locally and given the main security responsibilities in their home areas"

Vietnam....

[NK]

DoT-- well if support to the locals (whether Vietnam or Anbar) includes NavAir, they have a shot to succeed. It did in Vietnam in early '74 and Iraq in 2007.

[Cecil Turner]

So the new plan seems to be to move away from the notion of a national army in favor of Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish (i.e., the Peshmerga) subdivisions.

Looks like they managed to rediscover the ol' regional Regimental System (Lord Palmerston, 1829):

"...there is a great disinclination on the part of the lower orders to enlist for general service; they like to know that they are to be in a certain regiment, connected, perhaps, with their own county, and their own friends, and with officers who have established a connection with that district.

Might be better, can't be worse.

You can say that again. Of course, if we'd left a few thousand combat troops behind, it wouldn't really matter. But nooooo . . . "never enough time to do it right, but there's always enough time to do it over."

[NK]

Old AGW propagandist Phil 'Hide the decline' Jones has completely given up the warming ghost and goes with 'extreme variability' these days: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2750233/Are-Britains-winters-set-worse-Swings-mild-cold-seasons-common-changes-pressure-North-Atlantic.html

[NK]

FINALLY-- one of the DC Imperial City's PooBahs (Greenspan) comes out and tells the truth, the ECONOMY STINKS, Obamanomics is a disaster. Here are the 9 reasons why: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-09-10/alan-greenspans-nine-reasons-why-economy-stinks

[GMax]

US SENATE – GEORGIA (Survey USA)
David Perdue (R) 47%
Michelle Nunn (D) 44%
Amanda Swafford (L) 5%

GOVERNOR – GEORGIA (Survey USA)
Nathan Deal (R-inc) 45%
Jason Carter (D) 44%
Andrew Hunt (L) 4%

They also have McConnell up by EIGHT! Blunderagain Grimes is finished. It looks like SUSA has a D + 2 model in Georgia, which I am sure is incorrect and especially so in a midterm, so I don't really believe its even this close in Georgia.

The two recent polls prior to the MASS primary had Tierney up comfortably, so polling is quite fallible, and especially so when the actual population you need to sample ( actual voters ) is looking like it will be quite different from any recent prior elections, even 2010.

[narciso]

they were too charitable here,

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/09/09/great-moments-in-forecasting-uk-winter-weather-to-be-very-mild-wet-and-stormy-to-extremely-cold-and-snowy/

although the chart in the comments gives it away.

[NK]

Mark Krikorian does the arithmatic and politics of fascistic amnesty: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/387511/how-big-real-big-lawless-amnesty-mark-krikorian

[GMax]

The Daily Beast is correct on this, the NFL has plenty of domestic abusers on their rosters. Don't believe it, take a look they name names, lots of them:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/09/the-nfl-is-full-of-ray-rices.html

[NK]

Looking at that roster of cowardly abusers leads to one inescapable conclusion... Daily Beast... IS RACIST!!!

[Cecil Turner]

VDH has a good article up about the continuing threat (H/T Instapundit).

[GMax]

Rasmussen

Ohio Governor: Kasich (R) 50%, FitzGerald (D) 30%

A laugher. Kasich was originally elected with 49% of the vote, so he has picked up support without considering the undecided and confused by the question voters.

[Jane]

The two recent polls prior to the MASS primary had Tierney up comfortably

He looked a bit shocked at his concession speech - and that made my heart sing.

[lyle]

One of the Poweline gents:

When a team gains an unfair advantage from violating NCAA rules, NCAA sanctions are appropriate. However, Penn State achieved no apparent on-the-field advantage from Sandusky’s misconduct or from its failure to address it. As I understand it, Sandusky didn’t even serve as a coach after 1999.

As I understand it, Sandusky had unlimited access to Penn State facilities, though, and apparently unlimited access to young boys through his "charity." Anyone recall differently? I have nothing but contempt for the NCAA, but Mirengoff's attempt to defend PSU is a stretch, IMO.

[daddy]

Momma flies home on Sept 11th from Boston.

(She made the reservations, not me.)

[lyle]

In light of the Champ's big oration later tonight, don't forget this, from PJM:

”Obama to lawmakers: I don’t need your approval to attack Islamic State,” the Washington Examiner, today.

Huh — it was just a month and a half ago when the Obama administration begged Congress to prevent it from going to war in Iraq:

The Obama administration is calling on Congress to fully repeal the war authorization in Iraq to ensure that no U.S. troops return to the country, which is under siege by the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS).

White House national security adviser Susan Rice petitioned Speaker of the House John Boehner (R., Ohio) in a letter Friday to completely repeal the war authorization, officially known as the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq, or AUMF.

[Danube on iPad]

"the NFL has plenty of domestic abusers on their rosters"

But only one videotape, which completely re-shapes the narrative. If in 1991 all we had had were verbal reports of the Rodney King beating, nothing would have happened. If the Foley and Sotloff beheadings had not been taped, the president wouldn't be addressing the nation tonight.

[NK]

A grown up slaps that little jiveass bastard around. Check out what Cheney has to say about the MB and Mullahs on pp3-- looks like Cheney's on board with JOM commenters: http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/cheney-isis-will-be-wrong-side-history-only-if-we-put-them-there_804711.html?page=1

[jimmyk]

Momma flies home on Sept 11th from Boston.

Given our proclivity for always fighting the last battle, my guess is that may be the safest place to be on Sept 11th. Other than Alaska, and maybe Wyoming.

[lyle]

Idaho

[NK]

UWS and Midtown Manhattan... not so much.

[narciso]

shocking I know:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/new-jersey-prosecutor-who-let-ray-rice-off-the-hook-is-throwing-the-book-at-a-young-mother-of-two/article/2553028

[Eric in Boise]

Idaho

With the possible exception of Idaho 55 between Boise and Cascade, Lyle. Some of those people scare the hell out of me.

[narciso]

shirley they can't be serious:

http://www.newsmax.com/newswidget/Ari-Fleischer-Robert-Gibbs-Obama/2014/09/10/id/593752/?Dkt_nbr=1602B-

[NK]

he could... but won't.

It will just be another Obummer CF that gets too many fine SF men killed for no reason.

[lyle]

Totally agree, Eric. That's why I stick to I-84, US 20, and SH75. A LOT safer.

[Captain Hate]

Ohio Governor: Kasich (R) 50%, FitzGerald (D) 30%

A laugher. Kasich was originally elected with 49% of the vote, so he has picked up support without considering the undecided and confused by the question voters.

Fitzgerald is a complete idiot. When he became a county commissioner (or whatever name they now call them) everybody realized this was his end game. I don't think anybody liked him but they voted for him because he has a D beside his name. Plus some of the other candidates were loons. Since then he has no real accomplishments because he's been in the continual campaign mode; kind of like someone else we know.

[daddy]

Just read the link from the previous thread on John Kerry telling us that. Islam is Peace.

I await someone in the Media to finally play the Racism/Multiculturalism Card on Kerry and this bunch in the White House.

For ever and ever we are told we have to respect the views of other cultures in how they perceive the world and we are not allowed to criticize those views as that amounts to unwarranted bias and racism from our perspective.

Therefore we must respect cultures who believe in topics as diverse as Wiccans or Polygamy or Gay Marriage or female genital mutilation or wearing burkas or child rape in England by Pakistani immigrants or whatever else.

So that being the case, why are our leaders allowed to get away with saying that those who emulate Muhammed's act in ordering the beheading of 799 Jews in Yathrib (Medina) for not converting to Islam, are not following the correct interpretation of Islam? Why do our leaders get away with disrespecting the beliefs of those from other cultures who believe such things? Where is the Kumbaya? Where is the "I'm okay, You're okay." Where is the "Who are we to Judge?" Where do our leaders get off saying that those who follow the explicit text of their Holy Kuran are wrong?

[Rick B]

The Sunnis and Kurds are supposed to ship their tax receipts to the Shia huddled in Baghdad in exchange for the opportunity to defend themselves from headchoppers based in Syria? Will they be allowed their own air support or do they get to beg Baghdad when the headchoppers are at the door?

One might wonder if the faculty lounge strategists promoting ethnic cleansing throughout Iraq have been paying any attention to the interaction of various groups of Ali Babas in Libya. The various pots of oil plus the religious adherence to murder in facilitation of theft isn't leading to serene coexistence today any more than it did 1400 years ago.

[daddy]

JimmyK,

My guess is Momma prob'ly scheduled a Sept 11th Flight in hopes she'd get plenty of legroom. Reminds me of how wonderful it was to deadhead around Asia back when SARS was raging for a few months. Planes were empty and the handful of us on board were all treated First Class, even when in Coach:)

[Old Lurker]

"UWS and Midtown Manhattan... not so much."

Ouch, NK. One daughter and both their men are right there this week. I instructed SIL to stay on the surface, have lots of cash at all times, use his Marine training to escape NYC and to bring his sister in law from Columbia to Nantucket on his way out of town. If he can bring the BF, OK, but they are replaceable.

[lyle]

Barbara Boxer, concern troll:

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2014/09/10/boxer-republicans-will-suffer-if-they-dont-back-obamas-isis-strategy/

[Porchlight]

I like your priorities, OL.

[Porchlight]

BTW hello everyone. Wish I could catch up, but sadly, it's impossible...

[Jane]

where ya been Porch?

[Old Lurker]

Porch!

[Captain Hate]

Does anybody here view Jane Harman as anything more than a partisan shill any more? She used to seem a lot better but recent appearances have been complete protection for 404.

[narciso]

close your trapper keeper:

http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2014/09/10/why-does-obama-get-no-credit-for-going-after-terrorists-in-the-middle-east/

[Old Lurker]

No, Cap'n.

[NK]

OL-- I am deeply touched by your concern for my and JimmyK's mortal and material safety here in Midtown ;)

[Stephanie accidentally OnT?]

Because he's like a 14 yo who occassionally decides to play that old video game stuffed in the corner when he's bored?

[Old Lurker]

:-) NK

[Marlene]

The daughter is flying back to DC tomorrow afternoon. She refused to fly after 9/11/01. In February of that year,we had to call her home from London where she was vacationing with friends. My father-in-law,her dear Papa passed away. She had the flight from hell because she was so emotionally upset. After 9/11 she told us she wasn't going to fly any longer,because she swore to us that there were terrorists on the flight back from London in February. I believe her,weren't those guys doing dry runs? It took her five years before she would fly again.I can't believe she's flying on 9/11.

[narciso]

Hey Porch how have you been,

this is what passes for Harman's argument:

Jane Harman, the president of the Woodrow Wilson Center, said that while the Assad government was a major topic of discussion, she and other participants told Mr. Obama that he could order military action in Syria without fear of helping Mr. Assad, since ISIS was occupying ungoverned territory that his forces were unlikely to reconquer.

[GMax]

Woodrow Wilson Center

There is your problem right there.

[GMax]

use his Marine training to escape NYC

Given the moon of Bane is rising, even those without Marine training might be wise to follow this advice. The Big Apple was pretty rotten under Dinkins, and I see no reason to believe Bane is one point higher in IQ and probably more steeped in Marxist like rhetoric.

[lyle]

Government is people, people!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/data-on-800-billion-in-stimulus-spending-will-disappear-this-year-here-is-why/2014/09/09/ad277ff4-350a-11e4-8f02-03c644b2d7d0_story.html

[jimmyk]

My guess is Momma prob'ly scheduled a Sept 11th Flight in hopes she'd get plenty of legroom.

The only downside there is I remember reading that the 9/11 jihadists specifically chose a Tuesday as being a day when planes are less full, so that they would be able to maneuver with less potential resistance. But I'm guessing Momma could take out a few of them with one hand tied behind her back.

[Danube on iPad]

Judiciary Committee is asking Goodell the question Norah O'Donnell was too goddam stupid to ask.

[Miss Marple]

Oh, this speech tonight is one in which the president will attempt to "seize the moment."

I am entirely sick of the United States being treated like it is the Barack Obama Reality Show.

[Porchlight]

Hi all and thanks - just busy with work and kids going back to school. Moved into my new cubicle (lost my office to a troublemaker, taking one for the team, long story). Older daughter just started middle school, having a blast. Younger daughter happy in 2nd grade. Mr. Porch still unemployed (band on semi-permanent hiatus) but is heavy into martial arts, enjoying lots of family time and has lost 30 lbs (!) in 3 months.

Life is pretty good, except when I read the news and remember who is President.

[Porchlight]

I am entirely sick of the United States being treated like it is the Barack Obama Reality Show.

Me, too.

Do you think we'll ever have a real US President again, like it used to be?

[narciso]

here is an excerpt from the Arango piece:

http://minx.cc:1080/?post=351694

[Cecil Turner]

shirley they can't be serious:

Gawd, what buffoons. Are we really looking to former press secretaries for national defense strategy? And is "bad optics" really the main issue, here?

[Jane]

Why on earth is the judiciary committee intervening in the NFL? How stupid.

[Stephanie accidentally OnT?]

newer thread.

[Cecil Turner]

Why on earth is the judiciary committee intervening in the NFL? How stupid.

I expect it has something to do with their tax status, or the interstate commerce angle, or the historical oversight due to carnage of the early years. But whatever the reason, it's time for it to end.

[Tom Maguire]

...looks like Cheney's on board with JOM commenters:

Lincoln had a comment about whether God was on his side that seems oddly appropriate.

[NK]

TomM-- Wait, if JOM commenters are the Chosen,that makes JOM BlogHeaven, and that makes Tom Maguire....

[Captain Hate]

I am entirely sick of the United States being treated like it is the Barack Obama Reality Show.

Well stated; in 2008 I made the comment that he might be the Rupert Pupkin president but your comment is more timely. Plus everybody understands what you mean...

[Captain Hate]

But whatever the reason, it's time for it to end.

Absolutely, pols meddling in sports, when they have much more important things to address, infuriates me.

[Captain Hate]

Barbara Boxer, concern troll:

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2014/09/10/boxer-republicans-will-suffer-if-they-dont-back-obamas-isis-strategy/

Like they suffered for not jumping on board his daft Syria "plan" which never happened? Idiot.

[anonamom]

Jimmyk, 2:11
My youngest will be driving through Wyoming tomorrow.
in a Penske truck, towing a Prius. (Not his.)