Iraq’s unending enigma

Periodic suicide attacks in Iraq do point out something that is amiss. Though violence has fallen dramatically over the period of weeks and months, the ability of terrorists to swing a surprise makes one jittery and restless. It also hints at the fact that unscrupulous elements have an agenda to serve and have not been deterred at the hands of iron-fisted measures adopted by the government and coalition forces.

Published: Wed 29 Dec 2010, 9:16 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:37 PM

Two suicide attacks in Ramadi in Anbar province, which killed at least 14 people, is a grim reminder of terrorists having a field day, and more importantly picking up venues of their choice to further their nefarious designs. But a glance at recent terrorist incidents hints at the changing mindset whereby the chosen targets are no more government installations. Targeting sleepy towns and communities, who have little to do with mainstream politics has become the new trend, which incidentally goes on to establish that the purpose is to create social chaos and instability. It is incumbent upon the government to carefully study this trend, and hunt for people who may have become collaborators with Al Qaeda and like minded groups.

One way or the other, pestering political instability has much to do with the growing sense of lethargy in the government and the rising lawlessness. This second tenure of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki will be faced with a lot of challenges as it makes an effort to cement the reforms that it had introduced earlier. Prime among them is ensuring transparency in government functioning and improving capability of the security agencies. Bolstering an independent police force and sending the newly raised armed forces to the borders are issues that will need meticulous concentration. Rebuilding Iraq is no child game and it cannot be done in isolation. The United States and Britain, who had a major stake in invading and occupying it for long, cannot just walk away leaving behind the mess. Their governance and institutional expertise is in need of being practiced in the war-weary country, rather than merely concentrating on the security paradigm, which is not delivering to say the least. The moment grassroots politics gets going in Iraq, it will become easy for the administration to root out elements that play havoc with lives and properties.