text:
By Joost Hiltermann, Special to CNN
Joost Hiltermann is deputy program director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group. The views expressed are the writer's own.
With all eyes trained on Syria's unfolding civil war, the only headline-grabbing news to emerge from the former battleground, Iraq, concerned a fresh wave of violence. Last week, well over a hundred Iraqis were killed and several hundred injured in a series of attacks throughout the country that were claimed by Iraq's al Qaeda franchise, the Islamic State of Iraq. Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, had warned of what was to come the day before, announcing a "Breaking the Walls" campaign. On Thursday, Islamic State militants battled with security forces for the first time in years, succeeding even in bringing down a helicopter. It looks as if, having been driven out of most of the areas they controlled and dealt a body blow during the U.S. surge in 2007-08, al Qaeda is rebounding and launching its own military surge now that U.S. troops have gone.
Car bombs explode in central Baghdad
It's easy to be distracted by an uptick in violence in Iraq and ignore the larger political crisis in which al Qaeda, however diminished in its capabilities, can operate with apparent impunity. Despite last week's events, violence has been at a steady level since 2008 – too high for sure to those caught up in the spasms that occur, but sufficiently low to nonetheless convey a general sense of stability – a vast improvement over the days of sectarian fighting some years ago. Spectacular attacks have punctuated a pattern of declining violent incidents, causing mass casualties even as overall casualty levels have gone down. Shia militias, which mainly targeted the U.S. presence, put their guns back under their beds after the military component of that presence came to an end late last year.
Violent actors such as al Qaeda are likely to be around for some time, but without a political crisis, they could be contained. Iraqi security forces are still in the early stages of their development (after the Bush administration disposed of the former regime's army wholesale), and still exhibit clear vulnerabilities, especially in intelligence gathering and coordination that could prevent violent attacks, as well as in their explosives-detection capacity at checkpoints. (Security officers employ a piece of equipment that Western experts and journalists have referred to as a "divining rod" or "magic wand" for its inability to detect anything.) Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will be Iraq, nor its security forces. Yet by and large, these forces have been able to prevent a serious resurgence of violence.
What matters in Iraq today isn't so much its sporadic violence, however spectacular in nature, as the total absence of basic consensus over how the country should be run, as deepening discord could trigger a new round of civil war.
The latest crisis began when judicial authorities issued an arrest warrant against Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi last December. He and other Sunni leaders had fallen out with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, accusing him of amassing power and cutting them out. Things deteriorated sharply from then on, and by April, Maliki's erstwhile governing partners were openly calling for his removal via a parliamentary no-confidence vote. Many meetings later, these same leaders have signally failed in their objective, with Maliki firmly in place and his opponents lacking a strategy to call him to account, much less get rid of him by democratic means. They haven't given up, though, and so the standoff continues, with no prospect of its being resolved any time soon.
Maliki may have won this round – he survived – but all Iraqis lost, as political stalemate is further hampering governance. General elections should take place only two years from now, but with Baghdad all wound up in a knot, campaigning effectively has started, sucking up all the air. Parliament, in which Maliki's enemies are well represented, does very little; its legislative record is disappointing, and it now faces the daunting task of swiftly passing pivotal laws, including for provincial and parliamentary elections, as well as the regulation of political parties, if the next elections are to have any chance of occurring on time and succeeding.
To stick with the Rome metaphor, it's as if instead of rebuilding Iraq, politicians are fiddling as the embers of conflict are being relit. They are expert tacticians, masters at the art of political survival, but bereft of a vision for the country, unable to lay out a strategy that could parlay today's relative calm into economic progress and a fair share in Iraq's immense oil wealth for everyone.
In this unhappy state of affairs, the Syrian crisis threatens to exacerbate political tensions in Iraq and give them a renewed sectarian cast. As the minority-based Assad regime goes down, Syria's Sunnis are certain to rise, re-empowering Iraq's Sunnis, who have felt marginalized since 2003. Shiite perceptions of a looming Sunni alliance of Gulf states, Turkey, and a new Syria arrayed against the remaining Shia-run bastion of Iran and Iraq – with the intent of bringing down Maliki to deal a further blow to Iran's influence in the region – are increasing sectarian polarization in Iraq. This is the perfect breeding ground for groups such as al Qaeda, which may find it easier to recruit in Sunni quarters, finding deep frustration and grievance, but also new Syria-inspired hope that the tide is again turning in their favor.
If Iraqis are to avoid another civil war, once again led by al Qaeda but this time catalyzed by events in Syria, they should put their own house in order posthaste. Only by restoring basic consensus about how to run the country and by putting in place a workable power-sharing arrangement as they intended two years ago will they be able to contain and eventually stamp out violent actors and begin moving toward more effective governance.
Not all the money nor firepower in the world will get the Shiites and the Sunnis to like each other. Let's just forget about the pseudo-democracy set up in Baghdad by the C.I.A. and give the Iraqi people a referendum as to whether or not to split Iraq into three different states which at this time seems to be the best option for Iraq. Unfortunately, the special interest groups who control Washington these days will not go for it and therein lies the problem!
It's a much larger pain in the neck for the US to control oil fields in three countries instead of one so I'm sure we'll try to make sure Iraq sticks together.
If there was peace, the whole lot of you would have to get a real job.
First, Amercia doesn't control any of the oil fields in Iraq, that's rumor and propaganda and doesn't make for a very convincing argument when you have nothing to back it up.
Second, do you really think the Iraqis would be cool with dividing the country into thirds? Then who gets the oil fields and major cities and who gets the empty desert wasteland? Oh, looks like you just created another sectarian war. Good thing you're not in politics.
Actually, many of the Kurds in the north would love their own independent state.
Im just gonna throw it out there that I am assuming that 90% of the comments here are people who never have been to Iraq. Most of you have never even met a Kurd, Iraqi, or Turkman. So if you dont know what your speaking about (ie. MOST OF YOU) than please just make the rest of us happy and stfu.
Do you ever shut the eff up? Lay off the history channel and get a life already.
Being negative and badmouthing the US is his job.
They collect money at the mosque every Friday for him to continue his good work.
Please BUBBS, do lay off the Tea Party lingo. It has no place here as I keep saying. Leave that to the ignorant Tea Partiers!
Didn't mention the Kurds completely ignoring Baghdad and making their own giant oil deals with the Turks all of a sudden.
It's obvious by now that the Iraqi puppet government doesn't have control over Iraq. The Kurds to the north control everything including oil. Bush's cowboy diplomacy created a country that is in a state of chaos. More Iraqis have died in Iraq during the conflict than Saddam could have ever achieved in his lifetime (if he stayed in power). All this, for a democracy that doesn't really exist there.
Like USMC Forever already stated above, the Bush administration created a pseudo-democracy in Iraq similar to that of South Vietnam during the 60's and 70's until the Viet-Cong put an end to in in1975. That's what the Washington bureaucrats are currently trying to do in Afghanistan, too. The only true way to stop this current violence in Iraq is to divide it into three different states. Otherwise, this bloodshed will only continue!
it is totally different between VN war and iraq & afghanistan war. it was actually the war between the US, western european countries and the soviets + eastern europen countries. the result was: the free world lost vietnam, laos, kampuchia BUT the communism lost "the soviet and eastern europen countries". i would not discuss more into that war.
the war in iraq & afghanistan is the holy war between fanatic shiite & sunni muslims and the kurds somewhere in that. well, the US has won the war as muslims have killed one another more than anyone else. it seems the war will never end until they all die; what do you think?
Actually sonny, the Vietnam war had very little to do with the Russians. It was more of a war to gain control of Vietnamese resources for the West at low prices, such as rubber for instance. However, it did create a market for Russian military hardware as the Vietnamese fough to achieve national unity the same way the Germans and the Italians did in Europe100 years earlier.
Actually Quigley, from a strategic point of view, the Vietnam War was all about the Russians. The overarching grand strategy of the US and its allies from the late 1940's until the fall of the USSR was containment, everything else – including those relatively insignificant resources to be gained from South Vietnam – were means and ways to achieve the ends of containing the Soviet Union. The US won that decades-long struggle against its geopolitical rival, and the Vietnam War was just a lost skirmish in that struggle that was ultimately almost meaningless from a grand strategic standpoint.
USMCForever and Quigley are the same guy.
He does not even bother changing email addresses.
Maybe he has a personality disorder and his head will explode one day.
Can you prove it, nina? Of course not!!! Next, you'll probably be accusing me of beign some kind of liberal too!
so Jaybird is another one of your monikers others than USMCForever and Quigley.
Al Qaida is the secret force of CIA . They helped the USA to stay In Iran now they will again help the USA to come back in Iran .
You need to add a few more layers of tin-foil to your hat. The CIA's beams are getting in.
It is well known that the USA, through the CIA has funded and armed Al Qaeda numerous times throughout history. The CIA even put out releases saying that the three best people to run Libya after the fall were "former" Al Qaeda that had spent time in US custody. The USA is currently funding and giving arms to them in Syria.
Hillary Clinton Admits the U.S. Government Funded Al-Qaeda Fighting In Syrian.
"It is well known" is not proof.
"Violence in Iraq! It's politics!" The author failed to see the historical context of this violence. Saddam Hussein became president in 1979. In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran. The war with Iran, which lasted until 1988, cost the two countries around 500,000 lives. Most of them were Shia. In a country with 24 or 25 million inhabitants, over 60% of them are Shia and approx. 35% Sunni Muslims, hatred towards the Sunni Saddam was deep, who emerged from the war, but didn't learn his lesson. He waged more wars and committed more atrocities, not only against the Shia, also the Kurds.
You are correct about the "historical context" but the problem began with who was to succeed Mohammed, and the Shiites and Sunnis have been fighting over that ever since.
Muslim killing Muslim. hehehehe "The Religion of Peace".
The violence between Sunni and Shia in the Middle East reminds one of the conflict between Catholics and Protestants during most of 16th Century Europe. The difference is the Sunni's and Shia's have automatic weapons, and perhaps soon, atomic ones. Reflecting on the tragic waste of the Thirty Years War (40% of the German population of the time killed) ending with the Treaty of Westphalia; what do you think we have to look forward to in the Middle East? There needs to be a resolution, a Post-Islamic Reformation of some kind, before anything like peace can happen in that sad region of the World, and that does not look like something that is either likely or soon.
Mike, we all know your name is not Mike but Mohammed or Khalid or Abdul.
Whatever war was fought between Christianity has been over for a very long time because each side learned to respect each other.
The muslims have learned nothing and 1000 years from now they will still be killing each other.
Muslims, Iraquis, AlQuaeda all they know is violence. Fixing the problem civilly is not within their realm of understanding.
Kill or be killed, that is the muslim mindset.
you should learn more about islam. dont judge islam by actions of muslims. dont be so shallow.
Oh trust me, I know lots and lots and lots about Islam.
Probably more than you do!
Well who would you judge islam by, Catholics??
There is nothing comparable to islam.
Are people that are carrying out this violence against their own people really even "Muslim"? People can "label" themselves anything they want, but would Allah really "approve" of what they are doing?
Trevor, allah would be so proud of your lies. How could anybody other than muslims live there?
OK, "Nina" how exactly am I "lying"? Muslims claim Islam is a "peaceful" religion and I'm questioning "Muslim" and his/her claim that a Muslim's actions cannot "define" Islam...if a Muslim's actions are contrary to what Islam teaches, then that person isn't a true Muslim like "Muslim" claims. Oh BTW, "Nina" I am a "Christian" and 15 years active duty USAF...you can take your HUGE foot out of your mouth now...
Moorhamed's words are all about killing, lying, stealing.
Whether muslims are killing muslims or infidels, how is that not reflected by all muslims today?
Nina- I never said a thing alluding to "defending" Islam, I disagree with it, nor do I believe it is "truth". Now read this SLOWLY...it QUESTIONED "Muslim's" claim that stated essentially that a Muslim's actions cannot define Islam. In other words, I really doubted his/her claim was TRUE, in-fact, its completely illogical. You cannot claim to be a true representation and/or follower of a set of beliefs (ie: a religion) if your unrepentant actions (these so-called "Muslims" kill each other without a second thought) are clearly at odds with what you claim is the definitive "truth" about your beliefs (in this case the claim that Islam is "peaceful"). Your either lying about what you claim to "be" or your claim about what your belief system "is", is a LIE. Does this now "register" with you, or do you want to continue to call me a "liar"?
Trevor, all muslims are a true representation of their religion. Mohammed told them to go kill and lie and that is exactly what muslims are doing today. They do not question the validity of the command to kill, they are only too happy to oblige. It does not matter who they kill, Infidels or other Muslims. Islam is the creation of a mortal man who happens to have said all the right things at the right time to a bunch of heartless ignoramuses who are now following the religion to the fullest.
Nina- Just like I presented, a person is either lying about who they are because their actions (i.e.: unrepentant killing) contradict their stated beliefs (i.e.: its "peaceful") or their beliefs system is, in-fact violent and not peaceful and clearly contrary to what they claim. For Islam, it certainly calls for violence against people that believe contrary to Mohammed's teachings, and I therefore lean towards believing that the claim by certain people that Islam is a "religion of peace" is a LIE. So the people that are out there killing without repentance are are not "lying" that they are Muslim, its the folks out there that are claiming Islam is a religion of "peace" that are lying.
Finally, trust me, I "get it"...it was just very irritating that from what I could gather that you were so quick to "assume" that I was Muslim and a liar, coupled with the fact that I later challenged you on this claim and you proceeded not to apologize/"own up" to your mistake and instead deflect from your insulting remark and assumption about me and put the focus back on a group of people and a belief system that you seem to clearly have contempt for (BTW, contempt will eat you alive...). I wouldn't be "calling you out" on this, if it weren't for the fact that you're so quick to point out everyone else's faults without "owning up" to your own. We all need to "examine" ourselves and sometimes look at the plank in our own eye before we sit in judgement on the speck in our neighbors...just trying to help you out in love towards another, take it for what its worth.
Trevor – I did not mean to include you amongst the lying muslims. Our very busy group is making time for these blogs in order to show them that there are many of us who know what they are doing. We are all very upset at the ability these muslims have been given to continually denigrate anything deemed unislamic. If these muslims were in their own country, they would have disappeared, they would have been hung or stoned or...If you are telling the truth, then I apologize.
It's NOT the politics.....It's ISLAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ya got that right!
you both are dumb. For the record. If you read the news enough to comment, than dont be a freaking dummy! Your bigotry is what allows chikfila and all this other bigoted bullcrap to happen. Both of you would be better of dead considering you blame Islam without being able to spell, and you also probably have never MET a muslim. Most like, you just wondered onto this story after reading some racist fox news bullcrap and saw somthing about Iraq and thought to yourself "OMG@! ROFL WAFFLE ISLAM IS THE DEVIL!" help us all out, jump off a bridge kids. $$
It sounds to me like you are threatening DDM with death.
You must be muslim.
This reporter is a tool. No mention of Iran in the entire article and Iran, not "Bush's CIA" are to blame for this violence. Maliki is so far in Tehran's pocket it has driven the Sunni's (whose Sheik's were arrested in the hundreds just before the US forces left) into the arms of AQI. The Sunni and Kurd leadership know that Maliki remains in power as a puppet of Iran and central Iraq will spiral back into violence thanks to BO's fantastic leadership in pulling the string on what was a compromise govt by pulling out security training forces.
Thanks to Republican president GW Bush Saddam Hussein is gone and Iraq is going to have democracy and human rights. Oops, seems like a little bad decision by the decider in chief. Republicans need to be careful who they nominate for president and vice-president. That one costs the U.S. a fortune and many lives. Mr. Romney seems to talk too freely of using the power of our country which is scary.
And you think the Iraqi people were better under the evil dictator Saddam Hussein–a madman who invaded his neighbors, gassed his people, and built a nuclear reactor in the 80s with the intention of obtaining nuclear weapons.
I'm sure you also subscribed to the tired, ineffective notion of "give sanctions a chance".
So do you feel safer yourself now with al Qaeda being given breeding grounds in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and will all the oil and state resource abundant to finance its future operations against the West? Good for you!
All muslims are the same – same same.
Are you so naive to think muslim terrorism started with the invasion of Iraq? I got news for ya–they can call themselves whatever they want, muslim terrorism has been a global problem for the last 50 years!
One thing the doom-and-gloom anti-American defeatists ignore is this was the first time we took the fight to them! Instead you'd have us put our heads in the sand, allow them safe havens, and cave in to their demands. YOU would allow the terrorists to win. Fortunately, the majority of people don't feel as you do.
And over 100,000 Iraqi lives lost due to this Bush invasion and occupation. That should weigh on Bush's conscience if he even thinks about it, and on the people who put his nomination on the ballot.
Al Qaeda were not welcomed and didn't exist in Iraq under Saddam. Iraq was the enemy of Iran until this invasion.
There is nothing anti-American about criticizing stupid things that is done in our name. Worst is the misjudgement that results in the loss of our military young men and women.
The cost of freedom is seldom free. Anyone who thinks the Iraq people were better off under a brutal dictator than with free elections is deluded. Iraq is no longer a threat to its neighbors, thanks to GWB and the international community that had the guts to get rid of him and his regime.
As far as the military being in harms way, that's their job! It's not up to YOU to decide where and when they fight. If it were, we'd all be speaking German or Russian!
If you don't realize that more than 100,000 Iraqi deaths and the distruction of their country is way too much a price than I have to conclude that you have no regard for Iraqis. Only, via some ideology or loyalty to a small nearby country could ignore those costs.
Who killed these 100,000 Iraqis? The U.S. military? These deaths are 100% the responsiblity of the U.S.?
Prior to saying anything I want to say I am an independent and was in Iraq for 4 years fighting.
These events were predicted by the military leaders and told to the current President who saw an opportunity for reelection and went against his advisors by pulling troops out earlier than needed. Everyone pointing fingers at one sid eor the other needs to go to Iraq and see first hand the chaos over there. Everyone failed in this endeavor. Bush's policies fail by not setting up a timeline and an actual plan to stabilize the country. Obama failed by pulling troops out to early to try and get more votes and surrcombing to pressures by the citizenry and not finishing what we started. And shame on the media for their epic failure of reporting in Iraq. Show only the violence and the dealth toll. Don't show or speak of the money spent helping the country by building schools and providing electricity. War is brutal and violent, but the media only drilling in the death toll numbers and scenes of destruction on helps their ratings which is all they care about.
You can all speculate on to the reasonings for going to Iraq: to finish what his dad started, for oil, whatever. The public needs to see that whoever is the strongest will be the world police. Agree or disagree with that point we have the most advanced technology and the strongest military we are the de facto world police. Whether its our fight or not, some order needs to be placed in this world. For those that suggest using NATO and UN troops look at the numbers, its still the majority being US troops.
Question is when we will have to go back in to clean it up again or will Obama and the rest of the politicians let it fall and become a terrorist training ground adding another country to the list of those that despise us for abandoning them (Iran, Venezula).
Great piece. Thorough, detailed presentation of Iraqi, and near/middle east dynamics, esp the sectarian future looming w/ regard to Syria's tragic situation.
All these innocent civilians being murdered because GWB and the GOP lied to the world community about bogus WMD's and destablized that country, paving the way for tribal unrest and civil war. Let's face it, GWB has murdered over a million Iraqi civilians and he is as evil than Adolph Hitler and he should be tried for war crimes.
Oh, now it's "a million". OK.
Saddam Hussein murdered a BILLION Iraqis. That pales in comparison the number of Iraqis who died defending that evil regime.
The fact is, Iraqis are better off without Hussein, as are all of Iraq's neighbors and the rest of the world. If in your deluded mindset you can't grasp that truism, go drink Kool-Aid with Cindy Sheehan.
Where is the proof that Saddam Hussein killed a billion Iraqis when the country only has 23 million? Make that 22 now that GWB and the GOP killed a million! And how is Iraq and the region safer when the entire region has been destabilized? How many car bombings and market place bombings were there when Saddam Hussein was in power? I can help you with that...ZERO. Why don't you go drink some TEA? Or better yet, some Kool-Aid? Idiot!
There were a 1.022 billion Iraqis before Hussein took over by murdering his rivals. Now there are only 22 million. The proof I have is the same as you–nothing.
Saddam Hussein will never invade another country. Saddam Hussein will never build another nuclear plant. Saddam Hussein will never again use chemical weapons on his neighbors or his own people.
By your illogical definition, China and Russia have become destabilized because they have endured terrorist attacks.
Does your backside get jealous from all the cr@p spewing from your mouth?
Muslim countries do not do census because they do not bother. Allah told them not to worry about birthdays so how could anyone know how many Muslims there are?
If one doesn't realize that more than 100,000 Iraqi deaths and the distruction of their country is way too much a price than I have to conclude that you have no regard for Iraqis. Only, via some ideology or loyalty to a small nearby country could ignore those costs.
Oh! This lady is doing OK now, teaching diplomacy to students at Stanford University with clear conscience….What a joke after making this nation to spend $3T on the st u pi d war.
We the people elected George. Mistakes have been made, Iraq will decide it's own future, as it should.
In 2003 Condaleeza-anus-Rice said Iraq will serve as a democratic model for the rest of the Middle east. Well, how is that f-ing democracy working out for you now you f-ing stinking worthless black bit*ch?
C. Rice has had her name mentioned for Mr. Romney's vice-president. Hard to believe but true.
She's a helluva lot more qualified than Hillary!
I'd love to see it, just in the hopes it gives the two of you apoplexy.
When she was national security advisor, the twin towers in NY came crashing down and when she was secretary of state, our image abroad was the worst in US history. Rice being in the White House with Romney won't bother me a bit as long as the terrorist attack your stinking red states.
Thanks Obama. Everybody saw this coming but you when you pulled out the troops. Now the Iraqis can add abandonment to the list of reasons they hate the U.S.
Yakobi.....You are a little mixed up. I agree that Saddam needed to go, but other than that what did the US accomplish. We lost our influence and gave Iran the front door. There are a lot more extremist in that area then ever before. I can go on and on...
You do know the pilots from 911 were not from Iraq. Pull your head out of FOX news!
The U.S. will be glad to send Michael Bloomberg, Fareed Zakaria, Diane Feinstein, Charles Schumer, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Brady to run around in Iraq demanding gun control laws to stop the killing by confiscating all privately owned firearms in the country. That will make everything peaceful, tolerant and loving in Iraq!! It will become the Islamiic garden of joy and brotherhood. This is Americas's gift to the Islamic world....!!! Once again we will win the hearts and minds of our enemies!!
Why doesn't the United States finish its mess it started in Iraq, rather than trying to be a so called hero in Syrian now – which of course they are arming the rebels which of course are al – qaeda! Wow the media does a great job covering these things!!.
Another thing I don't understand from the media is how come when Syrian army defends itself from rebels all of a sudden they are the bad guys???? So the rebels hiding and shooting out of innocent peoples houses are good guys huh??
As usual Kenny, the right-wing news media tries to make the stooges for the West look good while villifying men like Bashar al-Assad who are not! The fact that these so-called "liberators" are killing civilians too won't be mentioned by the right-wing media as it works for the right-wing thugs in Washington trying to brainwash the public!
The "right wing media" now thats funny.... Fox v CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS and CBS, again which way does the vast majority of media outlets "lean"?
Tongue in cheek, but:
Looks like the example set by both Democrats & Republicans are being emulated in Iraq????
We wanted Democracy like we have it...Now we have it.
Maybe they learned this from us? Except war, that has gone on forever over there, is part of the mode of operation.
Or, maybe we learned it from them?
What republicans don't seem to realize is that alot more than 100,000 Iraqis were killed as a result of their illegitimate invasion and occupation of Iraq. That was approximately the amount of Iraqi casualties in the first few months of the war and by the end of 2004, thousands more Iraqi civilians died when our military mistakenly attacked civilian localities over fear that insurgents might be hiding out in those areas. I recalled two incidents where pregnant women who were amongst truck loads of their families and relatives fleeing the city to escape the violence were ambushed by our troops and brutally murdered at various check points in Baghdad because of fear that insurgents were in those vehicles. And sadly, these atrocities continued way up until the surge which eventually locked down the city. Then there was the situation where tribal warfare took over the country, leading to more unrest and death of civilians. And every month of each year up untill our withdrawal in 2010, tribal warefare continued to ravish that country and it continues today. And let's face it, GWB and the GOP are responsible for the tribal warfare and the deaths that continue to ensue because they invaded and destabilized a country in time of peace to ignite a war. Then if you were to do the math of Iraqi civilians who have died in market place bombings and from the invasion itself, GWB and the GOP have murdered a million Iraqis. let's face it, GWB and the GOP are on the same page with Adolph Hitler and should be tried for war crimes.
How could anyone know how many were killed? If Muslims did not lie much and so often we might believe a bit more of what you say.
What you "hear" second hand...THOUSANDS of U.S. military servicemen and women that would step to your face and call you a LIAR...make that +1...active duty 15 years, presently typing on the other side world from you...from the "safety" of you own home, spewing CRAP...
they can say what ever they can say. when they die they will see the pwoer of alah and go to hell while us being in heaven
It might seem very basic but a lot of the violence is to lack of access to women. A Iraqi man can marry 4 women so three of those women can not get married to other men. So the average Iraqi man has no woman who is single to marry. If they were married and had kids they would be less violent. As they saying goes make love not war. Or to reverse this If no make love then make war instead.
There was no Qaeda in Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Only after g. bush's decision to invade Iraq made it possible for the terror group to establish itself in the country! Yes, it was bush's fault!
This is the result of blind visionaries having been put in charge of Iraq for years. I mean not just al-Maliki, but Amb. Crocker, and Gen Petraeus and the U.S. Governments in all these years! They never succeeded in forcing Iraq to shape up or to split. They did not give strict deadlines to accomplish this! As a result, they created more problems than solved! From the outset, I had advocated splitting Iraq in three! This was an essential geopolitical must! The U.S. listened to Turkey, and got a "turkey advice"! Why? Because that's the advice the Turks always give! They always say, "no Kurdistan"! They are wrong, and they mislead the world!
Once again it all comes down to religion. People killing each other over their religious beliefs.
A world without religion could be so much more of a peaceful place.
It's the politics stupid should be replaced with it's the religion stupid. The Sunnis and Shias have been at it since the year 680 AD. 1,332 years of bloodshed can't be blamed on the anything other than religion since often the warring groups are of the same ethnicity. culture and sometimes political views.
So it was not violence but the corrupt of politics ? actually it happens in other country too ~ May be other countries' government know to to cover it nicely without expose even a little to the public ~ I felt the pitiful of Iraq citizens, perhaps getting a Kechara Protection Chakras may protecting them from tragedy ~
Whoa! The spam here is from hand. How can you retain up with many of these comments?


text:
- 446Promote
'Evolution I'by Alex G Griffiths
American Apparel Zip-up Hoodies and Pullover Hoodies come in a variety of colors and sizes. Complete with kangaroo pocket this stretchy, comfortable fit, unisex cut includes double-stitched cuffs and hem.
awesome man! smart thing :D
wow amazing!
really cool!
Great work
Great idea--fun--love it!!!
freaking awesome. love this. haha
great work
Thanks for all the great comments guys :)
excellent work, love your style and technique so much.
Thanks Swayze :)
nice work!
haha, fascinating idea! Love this piece.
So cool!
Extraordinary! ;)
great! love it!
Sweet illustration - love the little letters.
This is soooo goooood!
haha i like this one
Haha! This is awesome :-)
G is for Genius.
Thank you very much!
Haha, the fish looks so happy! Nice illustration and style!
I love everything about this!
fantastic work!
Stunning work man, your stuff is unique and wonderful
nice!. Following!
Cool! I love it!
Just amazing!
like it!
great design themes!
there's something I love about your style
Funny and seriously elegant at the same time!
Beautiful hatching! and project!
Very nice !! i love ti !
See More Comments

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hillary Weppler
Senior Campus Ambassador: Communications, email@example.com
4th Year Archeology & Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Tara, ON
Sup future Golden Hawks? My name is Hillary and I am so excited to be one of the first people to welcome you to the Laurier family! I am so excited that you have taken an interest in attending Laurier, and I can't wait to share my love for Laurier with you on your campus tour!
Laurier is a truly one of a kind place, and I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to live and learn here. While here I have taken every opportunity to become an involved member of the Laurier community through; volunteering for the Laurier Student Food Bank, working as the Vice President of Promotions for Charity Ball, welcoming new members of the Laurier Family through volunteering during Orientation Week, representing my program as a member of the Archaeology Society, staying active through being both an Intramural Team Captain and Team Member, and even unleashing my nerdy side as a member of the Laurier Comic Book Association! There really is something for everyone here, and I hope that you're able to find something to inspire you during your time at Laurier like I have!
Aside from extracurricular experiences, Laurier has also given me countless one of a kind academic experiences. In the summer of 2013 I was invited by one of my professors to travel to Jordan with her and two other students for 7 weeks to work on the Tell Madaba Archaeological Project. During this project I was able to explore my interests in the history of the area, as well as develop practical skills that I use everyday in the classroom! My professor even took my own personal interests to heart during this project and arranged for me to complete a small internship-like experience with a local Jordanian museum, as she knows I am interested in pursuing museum work in the future! It's experiences and attention to detail like this that you find are the norm at Laurier!


text:
Ticket pricesBooking ticketsGroup ticketsBuying ticketsPaying for ticketsCOMBINATION TICKET OFFER TERMS & CONDITIONS
How much does it cost to get into Madame Tussauds?Our best value tickets can be booked online and tickets are you will save up 10% against the on the day price. Tickets booked in advance also include use of the Priority Entrance.Find out more about our ticket options
How does a combined Madame Tussauds, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye and/ or London Dungeon ticket work?If you purchase a combined Madame Tussauds/ London Eye/ London Dungeon/SEA LIFE London Aquarium ticket from Madame Tussauds, the time of your entry is for Madame Tussauds. On arrival you will be given your ticket for the other attraction which you can use within 30 days from the date of admission at Madame Tussauds. Tickets purchased from the London Eye/ London Dungeon must be collected from the relevant attraction.Find out more about our package deals
Are there any student discount rates?UK students should see information issued with your NUS Extra Card and go to the NUS website for any valid offers. NUS cards do not entitle the bearer to a discount unless with a supporting valid voucher from NUS Extra.
Do you do a special rate for school visits?We have a school rate for UK schools from £6.96 per Primary school child and from £10.50 per Secondary school child. One teacher for every 5 Primary school children goes free and one teacher for every 10 Secondary school children goes free. Find out more about school visits to Madame Tussauds London
How do 2 for 1 promotional tickets work?Ticket promotions that give you a free ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket are always based on the full price adult ticket. These promotions are only valid with tickets purchased on the day and not tickets booked online or via the contact centre in advance . Please check the promotional voucher terms and conditions carefully prior to your visit and ensure you bring a valid voucher on the day of your visit.
Are ticket prices cheaper later in the day?Our ticket price is cheaper later in the day. Last admission is at 5.30pm (6.00pm during school holidays and all weekends) and this gives enough time to see the attraction, however please note that some of the experiences inside Madame Tussauds begin to close at 6pm. However there is limited availbility of this ticket.Find out more about the Late saver ticket
What does a family ticket entitle me to?A family ticket will give you entry for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children.
What discounts apply to Madame Tussauds Group tickets?Book a group of 10 or more in advance and you'll enjoy a discount off the individual entry price. Group rates apply to groups of 15 or more when bought on the date of visit.Group Tickets information
What methods are there for buying tickets?Tickets can be bought online, by phone on +44 (0) 871 894 3000* or on the day of your visit at the attraction. *Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
What methods of card payment does Madame Tussauds accept?Our web site and our credit card booking line 0871 894 3000* accept Visa, Mastercard and Delta. Please note that we do not accept Solo, Electron, American Express or Diners Cards.*Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Can I pay by cheque?We do accept company and UK school cheques made payable to "Madame Tussauds" for advanced bookings only. Personal cheques are no longer accepted.
Does Madame Tussauds accept Euros?We accept Euro notes only when purchasing a ticket and in the gift shop at a set exchanged rate.
Looking for information about visiting us?
Please read our Terms and Conditions before visiting us.


text:
The Jack Benny ProgramDon's Anniversary - Season 11, Episode 13 - 15 Jan. 1961 - On the anniversary of Don Wilson's 27 years of service with Jack, he and Jack recall the first day they met, when Don showed up for an audition and Jack put him through dance and elocution classes to "whip him into shape".
To Download or Embed this video, go to this link.
Back to the Jack Benny Program Library
back to Uncle Earl's Classic TV Channel


text:
The art of giving-A A +A
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
PARTING is such sweet sorrow, it is said.
But sorrow was not there when a prominent art collectors handed over treasured pieces to gather funds for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.
The "Art is Hope" auction at the Finale Art File at La Fuerza Compound along Chino Roces Ave. in Makati City.
Proceeds from the successful auction totaling P3.93 million went to the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) and the University of Cebu's shelter projects.
Francisco Dizon, the guy behind the auction, is not one who likes to blow his horn; deciding to just keep to himself a post-event press statement he prepared after the auction.
Asked why he organized the auction, the Sun.Star Publishings Inc. Board of Directors member and president of Sun Savings Bank's answer revealed a man for whom helping is just a natural thing to do.
"Why I helped? I saw the need. That is what prompted me, the desire to help," he said.
Dizon collects artworks, and they are among his prized possessions. He, however, gladly gave up his Rodel Tapaya painting that was hanging in his Manila office for the auction.
"You know, in Manila, there are regular auctions for commercial purposes. One time, the Leon Gallery owner dropped by my office, I think that was during the first week of October before the earthquake. Since I was not there, he just looked around, and later called me saying 'You have a Rodel Tapaya painting in your office. Might you be interested to auction it off?'"
Tapaya paintings are sought-after pieces because his works are hard to find. Many collectors, therefore, were interested in the artist so that there was a good demand for his paintings.
"I took that as the sign, as the painting would fetch a good price, and I don't have to choose and think anymore (what painting to donate for the auction), because somebody chose it for me. It was a sign that God wanted me to give that one up," he said.
Rafi reported that 260 families in the towns of Tabogon and Borbon in northern Cebu received shelter kits purchased using funds from the auction last Jan. 8 to 9. Another 200 families in Ormoc City also got shelter kits last Feb. 3 from the same fund source.
"Although the foundation also spent its own resources in its relief effort, it could not have reached more survivors without our donors. We continue with our relief works confident that we are backed by selfless and generous people," said Rafi chief operating officer Dominica B. Chua, in thanking Dizon and his fellow art collectors.
For Dizon, though, he just wanted to help without fanfare and noise. That is something many people find difficult to do. (Rafi/Rene Martel)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on March 06, 2014.
Country News
Cagayan de Oro
Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!


text:
Kit Black
General Manager International Development, Europe
Phone: +44 20 7487 0400
Email: email@example.com
I'm the General Manager International Development for Europe, following a five year period as General Manager International Development Asia Pacific. I am leading a team of development professionals with a broad range of experience in developing countries throughout the world. We are all focused on empowering those that we work with to deliver effective change and sustainable growth.
Coffey's 40 years of global experience and capability in international development in a broad range of geographies and disciplines underpins all that we do. We couple this with a strong collaborative focus on delivering the best outcomes for our clients and other stakeholders. I have been fortunate enough to observe first-hand and participate in a range of projects that we have undertaken for our clients in many places including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Philippines, and Indonesia.
It is a privilege to be involved in the work that Coffey is doing on a daily basis. I am proud to be working in partnership with our clients to make a real difference in the future of our world.


text:
Prices and availability are subject to change from the time and date that you print this page.
10/10/2015 3:46:05 PM. For Customer Service, please call 800.967.6696
The Story
Our two-tier set in contemporary nickel-plated steel with a matte finish hangs both panels and sheers for a layered look. Set includes one each of wide- and narrow-diameter telescoping rods with everything you'll need for hanging: finials, double hanging brackets and hardware. Coordinating easy-glide curtain rings and tiebacks available (sold separately).
Part of the Matte Nickel Double Hanging Curtain Rod Hardware Set (Cloned) Collection
Details and Dimensions
Matte Nickel Double Hanging 48"–88" Curtain Rod Set.
- Steel tube with matte nickel finish
- Aluminum finials and brackets with matte nickel finish
- Rods are .75"dia. and 1.25"dia.
- Set includes one 1.25"dia.x48"–88" rod, one .75"dia.x48"–88" rod, four finials and two double brackets
- Made in China
.75" D Rod FinialWidth: 0.375" Diameter: 1" BracketWidth: 0.625" Depth: 5.75" Height: 2.5" Largest Measurement From WallDepth: 5.75" Overall DimensionsWidth: 89" Depth: 5.75" 1.25" D Rod FinialWidth: 0.5" Diameter: 1.5"
Tips for Hanging Curtain Panels
When it comes to length, would you like the panels to hang simply with a 1" clearance (avoiding dust), or would you like them to "puddle" 6-8" onto the floor for added drama?
Measure your windows. Once you've determined the look, measure the window and area to be covered by the curtain panels.
Measuring Width: In addition to measuring the width of the window, determine how much overlap you'd like on each side (1-3" is typical).
Measuring Height: It is typical to mount curtain rods 4" from the top of the window. You can add height to a room by mounting the rod closer to the ceiling. All of our curtain panel heights are measured from the top of the rod pocket to the bottom of the hem. If you are using curtain rings, you will need to add those into your measurements (approximately 1.5-2").
- Wipe with damp cloth.
Return/Exchange Policy
We will accept returns and exchanges of non-furniture items if:
- Non-furniture items are returned within 90 days of customer receipt.
- A valid proof of purchase is provided (see below).
- Non-furniture items are returned in good condition—unused and unwashed.
If you discover an item has a manufacturer's defect or was damaged during transit, we will accept the item for return or exchange with proof of purchase. Without proof of purchase, the item can be exchanged only for the same item. A valid photo ID is required.
We are unable to accept any items for return or exchange without proof of purchase. Items purchased as final sale cannot be returned, exchanged or repaired.
Items must be returned to the store brand where the purchase originated or by mail (if the item was ordered online or by phone and received by mail). Purchases made outside the U.S. may only be returned to the purchase location.


text:
'Serving those who have served our country'
EUGENE, Ore. - National Guard veteran Jason Branch's four kids never had a yard to call their own - until Veterans Day 2011.
Community leaders handed Branch the keys to a newly remodeled home on Garfield Street.
"It's going to make it so that my kids can live better," Branch said, "and when they live better, I have less worries."
St. Vincent de Paul, the Eugene Water and Electric Board and the Lane County Home Builders Association worked withvolunteers to remodel a home for Branch and his family.
"To me it's about service," said Roger Gray, EWEB's general manager. "It's the name of our project - serving those who have served our country - and that's really what it's all about."
More than 250 volunteers put in 2,700 hours on the project.
"It's amazing to know that there's still people out there that don't care about themselves -sacrifice everything, time, hours, money - on someone that they don't even know," Branch said.
Organizer Terry McDonald from St. Vincent de Paul said the goal was to help a veteran's family in need.
But in the end, they accomplished much more.
"We have many divisions in our country right now, and a lot of people are polarized," McDonald said, "but there is something about honoring those who have served us and defended us overseas that we can all rally around."