You heard it here first by SignyM

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

You heard it here first

POSTED BY: SIGNYM
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 17:59
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Sunday, November 12, 2006 5:19 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

I've been advocating breaking Iraq up into three regions for about two years. The only way I can see doing that is to literally pay off the Sunnis with lots and lots of development aid to make up for the loss of oil/ smuggling/ shipping revenues. In any case, it would be WAY cheaper than war.

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Reality sucks. Especially when it contradicts our cherished ideas.

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:21 AM

STEPHS

Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
I've been advocating breaking Iraq up into three regions for about two years. The only way I can see doing that is to literally pay off the Sunnis with lots and lots of development aid to make up for the loss of oil/ smuggling/ shipping revenues. In any case, it would be WAY cheaper than war.

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Reality sucks. Especially when it contradicts our cherished ideas.

I think I read somewhere about a portion of Iraq being under control of the Kurds.

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:44 AM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

It's already trending in that direction. The Iraqi Parliament just recently voted to "federalize" Iraq- ie break it up into pieces. The Sunnis are mightily unhappy about that because they have NO oil fields under their control.

But, who would have advocated this two years ago?

Nearly everything I know I learned by the grace of others.

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:57 AM

CITIZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
I've been advocating breaking Iraq up into three regions for about two years. The only way I can see doing that is to literally pay off the Sunnis with lots and lots of development aid to make up for the loss of oil/ smuggling/ shipping revenues. In any case, it would be WAY cheaper than war.

Way I see it this was more or less how things used to work. The Ottoman Empire conquered the area of Iraq between about 1520-1683 (the entire area wasn't conquered at once) and the area was split into three regions, largely dependent on the old tribal segregation. Plus major religious groups within the Ottoman Empire could establish their own communities, each retaining their own laws language and tradition.

Then came the First World War, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and the area was carved up among the Western Allies along arbitrary lines drawn on the map. So where as before in Iraq there were separate regions, separated by Language religion and culture, the Western Allies in general, and the UK in particular in the case of Iraq, basically threw them together and expected them to get along. They broke down the centuries of segregation between the Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis with a wave of the metaphorical hand. Although I think in the 1920's the approach of splitting the region along it's traditional lines would have probably worked, now I wonder if the internal resentments built up and also suppressed by First the British then the Baathists makes it more likely that we'll merely have three smaller nations that are permanently at war.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 6:26 PM

SIRI

Yes, this part of the world was parsed together by the West. Meddling always has consequences - go ask River. Bosnia is still finding it's way and then there's the African continent. Warring and conquering can be messy business - no matter the intentions. I'm suspecting there will need to be some sort of split or partioning. It may be called by a different name. Then again, maybe they'll pull it together.

It might be a good idea - the next time we go meddling and prop up a dictator to implant a chip in his/her head. That way we can just blow the SOB up when he "misbehaves" and not have to go to war at all.

BTW - Judith Tarr wrote a couple of really good fantasy-historical fiction novels placed in the time of the crusades - "Alumut" and "Dagger Cross" - in case anyone enjoys that sort of thing.

"I'm being ironic." "No, you're being mean."

Siri

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 6:39 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

From what I understand (from my Middle Eastern and African friends), the west understood the utility of 'Balkanizing' its colonies. The lines weren't arbitrary, they were drawn that way on purpose - to factionalize the countries internally and prevent rebellion.

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:03 PM

SIRI

Rue,
Yes, thanks, you are right. I didn't mean to make "absolute comparisons." There were definitely differences. Still the "parsing" was/is at least partially responsible for what came next.

Having a cup of tea, now, then off to bed. Good night my FF friends. A good week to you all.

Siri

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Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:10 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

And to you.

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Monday, November 13, 2006 7:08 AM

CITIZEN

Of course one of the major strengths of the British Empire, have your subjects fighting themselves, that way you don't have too.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Wednesday, November 15, 2006 4:24 PM

DREAMTROVE

I think I also advocated the three state solution some time ago, but singym predates me on this board. It was suggested in british parliment in 1919, and oil intrests and the anti-french movement blocked the idea.

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Wednesday, November 15, 2006 5:59 PM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

I find myself distressingly on the same side as James Baker. Maybe I need to re-think!

---------------------------------
Reality sucks. Especially when it contradicts our cherished ideas.

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