Thursday, November 27, 2008
The security agreement and democracy in Iraq
The parliament of Iraq has approved the security agreement with the United States (various blog reactions here). It is the product of extended negotiations, both between the two governments and, on the Iraqi side, among the many factions on whom the government depends for support. The Iraqi government needed to campaign for the votes to ratify the agreement, and it was only able to secure its passage after having extracted concessions from the United States. The final concession was a requirement that the entire agreement be subjected to a national referendum, the effect of which would be to truncate its term by a year.
I confess that I have not studied the agreement or followed the details sufficiently to have a strong opinion about the substance of the deal. This much, though, seems clear: It is the product of a manifestly pluralistic, democratic negotiation. Is it possible even to imagine a similar process in any other Arab country?
4 Comments:
By 
, at
Thu Nov 27, 10:19:00 PM:
One might even think the ratification of this agreement could be seen as evidence of political reconciliation, if not for the Sadrist obstructionists.
But oh well.
By 
Dawnfire82, at
Thu Nov 27, 10:45:00 PM:
"Is it possible even to imagine a similar process in any other Arab country?"
Lebanon, on a good day. And so long as it doesn't have to do with Israel. But hey, it can be imagined.
By , at
Fri Nov 28, 03:07:00 AM:
There is much to like and dislike about this new SOFA - for both sides. In other words, a good diplomatic/democratic accord, IMHO.
By , at
Sat Nov 29, 09:22:00 AM:
Is it possible even to imagine a similar process in any other Arab country?
Nevermind any other Arab country. How about the US? I don't recall our Congress being asked to vote on this. You?
