Iraqi workers reconstruct a building in
Baghdad
(EPA/EMPICS)
Iraq's future
Iraq’s future is deeply uncertain. Now that Saddam’s murderous
dictatorship is over, the international community has lifted economic
sanctions and is trying to help Iraqis rebuild their country.
Some Iraqis are optimistic that the high turnout in the recent
elections (58%) will lead to genuine democracy. If Shia and Kurdish
leaders can reach agreement in the next few months, Iraq hopefully
will have fresh elections and a new government by the end of 2005.
But all of this is threatened by the continuing violence targeting
foreign troops, Iraqi security forces and civilians. Most of the
resistance is coming from Iraqis who oppose the foreign presence
or who are loyal to Saddam. Iraq’s best chance for a peaceful
future is if ways can be found to bring Sunni Muslims into the
new government, and if Western troops leave. Both seem unlikely
for a long time. The UK and US troops will not leave until Iraq
has enough properly trained police and military. But many Iraqis
fear being killed by insurgents if they sign up. |
