“episodes like the Fakka incident ultimately serve as political theatre that will deflect attention from the more fundamental question about Iranian influence – at the level of high politics in Iraq, and through a constitution that works in Tehran’s best interest. ”

Your reply immediately debunked Sistani “the fact that the Shiism of Najaf is not nearly as “quietist” as they think, and that Sistani often considers himself to be above the law and the constitution.”

In your 2006 paper, curiously enough, you do not make the charge that Sistani considers himself to be above the law and the constitution? So why do you say it now? What’s happened since 2006 to suggest Sistani sees himself above the law and constitution?

My own “debunking of Sistani’s quietist credentials” is available in a paper at http://www.historiae.org/sistani.asp as well as in a recent article in SAIS Review vol. 29 no. 2. Unfortunately, the latter it is not freely available online (there is a pay link at http://muse.jhu.edu/login?uri=/journals/sais_review/v029/29.2.visser.pdf ), but here is an excerpt that maybe addresses some of the themes you are concerned with:

“So far, in studies of Sistani, there has been an unhelpful polarization
between, on the one hand, those who characterize the leading Shiite cleric
as entirely quietist, almost dormant, and, on the other hand, those who see
him as a great manipulator behind the scenes. Looking at Sistani’s behavior
over time, though, it is clear that there is nothing static about the higher
Shiite clergy. Quite the contrary, it seems as if the Shiite clergy chooses to
interact with the state on a case-by-case basis. When it does so, it expects
to be listened to, and at times may actually consider itself above the law. In
other words, the idea that Iraq’s clergy consists of ‘quietist’ scholars who
have relinquished all pretensions to power for doctrinal reasons simply does
not stand up to scrutiny. Rather than involving the cession of authority, it
is the aversion of entrapment in the institutions of state that characterizes
the top Shiite scholars, and that continues to define their non-state role.
Put differently, when some Iranian oppositionists dream of a ‘Sistani alternative’
in their own domestic politics, featuring a pliant, ritual-oriented
clergy—a vision that came to the fore once more after the disputed June
2009 presidential elections—such oppositionists engage in a high degree
of wishful thinking. Rather, today Iraqi Islamists claim that the Iraq-based
clergy exercises a stronger influence over Iraqi politics than their Iranian
counterparts, precisely because they remain outside of institutions when
they enter politics.”

The effect can be seen by the outpourings of anti-persianism from Salah every time the issue is raised. May I respectfully suggest that more balance is needed?

“some kind of benign democratic wave will spread peacefully from Iraq to Iran is another common idea” among people in Washington who take an optimistic view on the situation in Iraq”

This is not my view. The shia led Islamic Republic of Iran had a democratic (ie modernising) component from the beginning. The increasing secularisation/westernisation in Iran became clear in the 90s (after end of war.) The appearance of the modernising “Green” movement was a logical extension.

Ergo, the reformist Iranians have little to learn from the maturing Iraq democracy. However the obvious danger for Iraq is the turmoil in the Elephant as the totalitarian regime there resorts to saddam-like measures to purge the reformists and extinguish the democratic component of the Republic.

To go back to my original point, the current Iraqi leadership has good reason to be very circumspect. Iraq has no choice but to live with the winners, regardless of the outcome.

Policy produced chaos with disastrous outcome to Iraq and Iraqi life, it has nothing to do with attitude Faris.

not everybody wants to leave Iraq now
Iraqis top list of refugees seeking asylum
Thu October 22, 2009

apologies been out of topic , Faris sorry I can’t change your attitude either.

A balance of powers has given way to an imbalance of power, and space for a legitimate counterweight has thereby been handed over to shadow armies impelled by private agendas but mobilised in the name of nationalism. Patriotism gives theocratic movements strength that they might never have achieved by a more transparent declaration of intent. This was the story in Iraq; this is the story in Afghanistan. In Iraq, they have been co-opted into the system, where they bide their time, waiting for local politicians to self-destruct and American forces to leave.

The Guardian, Friday 25 December 2009 14.00 GMT

Please read this may give more deep understanding what Iraq today after 7 years…. of those who sacrifices their lives to built a new Iraq but what new mean that the question is?

ما قاله ارسطو عن الهريسة

Yes that what I meant (you may call me conspiracy theories) but we knew that US in may regions and countries they had have some sort of deals to facilitates their interest even that side is a Devil they hat .

As for the oils field saga I think Iran have to test as you said all the reaction in same time sending massage that they can interferers and make miss here with very small effort without moving have army troops and air force its only a matter of moving few KMs, today and follow that more move.

By doing so, Iran got more attention and free hand in the region with very weak like Iraq or shaky kingdoms like all GCC states who are hopeless and dependently on US to help.

The other point here also as Iraq auctioning his oil field and the estimation for Iraqi oil reserve 115billion (This in 1970 estimations, some saying now it’s 300billion) Iraq has the world’s second largest proven oil reserves. According to oil industry experts, new exploration will probably raise Iraq’s reserves to 200+ billion barrels of high-grade crude, extraordinarily cheap to produce. The four giant firms located in the US and the UK has been keen to get back into Iraq.

I do not believe the American do know what people they choose in Iraq have heavily Iranian dependent and Iranians lovers. If you asked about their some Iraqis before the war they most possible they will tell straightforward they are Iranian backing and lovers.

Therefore, US with all their project for Iraq that has been obvious years before 2003, I don’t think they are so stupid they don’t know the outcome of putting Maliki, Ja’afary “Da’awa party” or Al-Hakeem with Badar Militia and others in power and they expected a new nationalist movement been built in new Iraq.

As for subject of critical of the Kurds, I think you well aware that US are playing on both side in this case about Kirkuk

There are others in Washington who do not believe Iraqi nationalism exists at all, and who may be more inclined to the sort of direct deal-making with Tehran that many Iraqis and Arabs fear.

I think not just there are others in Washington who do not believe Iraqi nationalism exists, their denial knowingly that Iraqi nationalists against their interests, their occupation in Iraq and against their roadmap for Iraq.
This the main cause of their inkling and talking/ denial about the non-existence of Iraqi nationalists.

The fact is Iraq a nation and state have 5000 years of life with history full of brightness and pride if compared to any nation of planet that cannot been denied of saying not exists.

As you would know it is extremely difficult to manipulate elections conducted on the basis of proportional representation because of the huge number of fake ballots that would be required to alter the proportions to a decisive degree.

Bb

This is not quite right.
We had Afghanistan election, we had Iraqi election,. in Afghanistan US ambassador and US/UN representative (who were fired after that) the fraud and fake ballot/ lection form was massive(Just to remind you BBC reporter(under cover) had managed to get 5000 election forms by paying USD100. and he told whatever number of form its available up to 50,000. this report broadcasted by BBC before the election)

In Iraq there the last election were the election form was bought by paying USD 100 for the person also you my remained those many ballet boxes vanished and then turned after 2-3 days after and the counted.

Therefore, there are no guarantees that any elections in Iraqi or Afghanistan have very reliable and less variances, to drive you to say it is difficult to manipulate elections conducted.

Faris,

I did not said it has anything related to Al-Fakah at all, Yes is an old book, Please reread my comment I pointed you to those “ a good American; Nobel US soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country in Iraq are good Americans they treated Iraqis during their mission in Iraq. Even with people who came with invaders as the writer, whom were Iraqi /American himself telling in his book? I do not need to remind you with Abu Graib war crimes…

Btw, Faris,
I believe (correct me please) you left Iraqi in 1970, you never been in Iraq since, you visited Iraq two months ago. So you really do not have idea what Iraq been before 1991, during 13 years of sanction, followed by Shook & Awe distractive war.

Can I ask you one question, honestly how many Iraqis (normal Iraqis not the green zone ones), asking you how and they wish to leave or left Iraq due to all miss and chaos?

Joel Wing

That Economist story, if true, had the Americans asking Iran not to have Special Groups attack the withdrawing U.S. forces,

Joel, if you read the Economist, they first overdraw the article that they publish first due to US denials (especially Odierno and Hill) then they come with this new article telling that their Iraqi report was right, the meeting was happened, this first part of the story.

The second thing you saying that Iranians had “Special Groups attack the withdrawing U.S. forces” I did it read any where this matter, any way let not forgot same Iranians as Iran’s spiritual leader said publicly that Iran helped US in her war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But what Iran now trying they understand well the politics in the region and US policies in ME they trying to extends their power as much as they could even against US wishes so they playing their very famous chess game they invented deep in history.