Big Lizards:Blog:Entry “Iraq Working Its Way Into the "Functioning Core"”

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February 24, 2007

Iraq Working Its Way Into the "Functioning Core"

Hatched by Dafydd

I was reading Iraq the Model's discussion of the security operation (from an Iraqi -- in fact, Baghdadi -- point of view), and this particular section especially caught my eye. It's a sign that Iraq is truly becoming a nation fully integrated into what Thomas P.M. Barnett calls the "Functioning Core" -- nations that have integrated their economies, their communications, and their legal systems into the mainstream of the civilized world, something that never could have happened under Saddam Hussein:

In this regard it's worth mentioning that the judiciary is already trying to provide the required legal component to the operation, al-Mada reports:

The supreme judicial council assigned nine judges, nine representatives of the general prosecutor and fifteen magistrates the task of visiting designated detention facilities to interrogate suspects. The source added that the council demanded that the interior and defense ministries commit to show detainees before a magistrate within 24 hours of the arrest…when the magistrate orders keeping the detainee in custody no other authority has the right to release him, and when the magistrate orders releasing the detainee through paying a bail no other authority shall continue his detention, unless the detainee is wanted for other charges.

Calling for halting the operation isn't realistic and is of no good to us, I think asking for more judges and a bigger role for the judiciary in supervising the work of the military would've been a better demand; one that can really help the people.

In the end, this is exactly what Iraq needs most: an independent, functioning, and fair judicial system that the citizens of Iraq can all trust, whether they're Sunni, Shia, or Kurd; Moslem, Christian, or Jew; rich or poor, Iraqi or foreign. Without that, Iraq can never be anything but a loose confederation of tribes.

But with a modern, Western-style judicial system -- one that respects the rights of the accused, but also protects the community from predators and thugs -- Iraq can be a great nation... and a "model" of modernization and global interconnection for the rest of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Iran.

I have always rejected the bigoted idea that Arabs are somehow incapable of embracing democracy, freedom, liberty, Capitalism, and individualism. No people on Earth should be barred from joining in the increasing globalization of economies, communications, and law... provided they're willing to accept those "rule-sets," even when they conflict with the traditional ways.

I'm very much looking forward to the day that Iraq joins the World Trade Organization, signs an extradition treaty with Western nations, joins its banking system with the Western world's, and joins NATO (if Turkey can be a member, why not Iraq?)

The first step after 9/11 was clearly for us to drive al-Qaeda out of Afghanistan, which we did. But I believe that one reason President Bush decided that step 2 would be liberating Iraq is that he knew, even back in 2001 or 2002, that Iraq was sophisticated and mature enough, despite decades of Saddam (and the Baath Party before him), to serve as a template for all the other Arab countries... and even for Persia, the gateway to Southwest Asia.

Nobody with the serious intent to democratize the world could resist starting with Iraq, a country with vast oil reserves and an educated people with (by and large) a modern understanding of religion and its role in society. I can't think of any other nation that could withstand both Sunni terrorists and Shiite death squads trying to foment a civil war -- yet not fall into one.

That's why it's vital that Iraq succeed as a democratic nation. That, more than anything I can think of, would cripple al-Qaeda and make them the laughingstock of the entire ummah.

Hatched by Dafydd on this day, February 24, 2007, at the time of 6:12 AM

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Comments

The following hissed in response by: Tomy

Dafydd,

Barnett also discusses the need for increased trade between the Core and the Gap, and the need to reduce the Gap's dependency on oil exports. And I've been thinking for some time about the similiarity of Iraq to Yuma Arizona.

Yuma is one of the most agriculturally productive areas in the U.S.; the result of Yuma's year round desert temperatures and its proximity to the Colorado River. Controlled irrigation, year round warm/hot tempertures, and fertilization provide optimum plant growth and allow four growing seasons per year. I believe many parts of Iraq could, with its rivers and temperatures, mirror the Yuma phenomena, and become major centers for agricutural exports.

Tomy

The above hissed in response by: Tomy at February 24, 2007 7:58 AM

The following hissed in response by: Tomy

Dafydd,

Nobody with the serious intent to democratize the world could resist starting with Iraq, a country with vast oil reserves and an educated people

I agree. Based on my experience with its people, Iraq's greatest export will probably be its fecundity.

Tomy

The above hissed in response by: Tomy at February 24, 2007 10:31 AM

The following hissed in response by: KarmiCommunist

They best get in high-gear, since we have put up with their, our MSM, and our Democrat Party's *CRAP* for far tooooooooooooo long!!!

The above hissed in response by: KarmiCommunist at February 24, 2007 6:42 PM

The following hissed in response by: Mr. Michael

But with a modern, Western-style judicial system -- one that respects the rights of the accused, but also protects the community from predators and thugs -- Iraq can be a great nation... and a "model" of modernization and global interconnection for the rest of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Iran.
I have always rejected the bigoted idea that Arabs are somehow incapable of embracing democracy, freedom, liberty, Capitalism, and individualism.

Since these three points are so close together in the text, I'll address 'em all in one response... thanks for making it easier, Dafydd!

First: You wish upon them a Western-style Judicial System; then you point out how it is probably bigoted that Westerners assume folks like the Iraqis "cannot" create, support, and live under such things as a Judicial System.

*Ahem* Hammurabi Code, anybody?

I would go you one further, Dafydd. I would wish upon the Iraqis a functioning and uncorrupt Judiciary, one where there is not popular assumption of the immorality of the Legal Profession!

Something I tell folks I discuss this with... I do not wish upon Iraq a system like America's along with all of it's flaws. Many of our flaws came about through bad decisions followed through precedent, not by design. But many come from the fact that the populace has gotten lazy about its duties as Citizens. (...to the point that we no longer value BEING Citizens.)

So called "Emerging Nations" can look at our system, and see which parts of it are worth incorporating in thier design, and which parts can be improved. I sincerely believe that a Clean Slate can allow Iraq to do this... and I really hope that they do! Imagine THAT as a model of modernization for the Iraqis to become... an improvement over the West!

They can do it. But only if we can convince the MainStream Press and the Democrat Party that they are worth saving.

The above hissed in response by: Mr. Michael at February 24, 2007 8:05 PM

The following hissed in response by: TBinSTL

It has been my contention for some time that the singular error of Bush's prosecution of the WOT has been his overestimation of the American people's attention span. I even think that, in a world where Americans "get it" and don't lose their focus, Rummy's longer but lighter approach would lead to a more thoroughly and deeply changed Iraq.
It would have been better but the Electorate's impatience, the MSM's willingness to carry water for our opponents and certain politicians' unscrupulous lust for power at any cost to the Nation has made us take a slightly different course. The new course may yield results nearly as enduring and complete or it may get us only to the minimum acceptable result but this is the path events have set us upon.
I flirted with blaming the President for not "getting out the message" but then I considered the series of filters and conduits he had to get through with that message and concluded that there really is no "Bully Pulpit" anymore, certainly not for a President that is not annointed by the world press. This is why I put so much of my hope in the emergence of the "New Media". In a trully open marketplace of ideas, I believe we can and will win.....everything.....eventually.

The above hissed in response by: TBinSTL at February 25, 2007 2:40 AM

The following hissed in response by: Terrye

Given time the the iraqis have at least as much of a chance as the Eruopeans and the Asians.

People said Europe could never live in peace...but it has. People said the Hindus of India could not change enough to enter the modern world, but they are and it was not an overnight event either. People swore the Japanese were too rooted in a militant and xenophobic tradition to ever allow Western style government to survive in Japan. People were wrong then. I think the Iraqis have a shot at this, but it will take time and it will never be perfect. There will always be some problem. Just look at Italy.

The above hissed in response by: Terrye at February 25, 2007 4:26 AM

The following hissed in response by: Tomy

The Army/Marine manual written under the oversight of General Patraeus, and said to be the basis for the new strategy in Iraq, is titled"Counterinsurgency". It is much more than a "How To" manual, and very interesting.

Tomy

The above hissed in response by: Tomy at February 25, 2007 11:28 AM