Can Iraq create/sustain a "real" govt.?

[reason]

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh met with more than 30 House Republicans and more than a half-dozen senators last week pleading with them to not pull out of Iraq. (link = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...ns/waronterror)
Patience is wearing thin for EVERYONE on capitol hill (I believe). I think it is safe to say that America is ready (after 5 years) for Iraq to get it's priorities in order and take control of it's own country.
My question is - Can they?

Are there enough diplomatic Iraqis to form and maintain a working government?

Is it lack of resources, or is it lack of motivation?

[Ash]

they can sustain a 'real' government, but it has to be something logical to the ideals, beliefs, and history of the people that live in the country. The American democratic way is not a favorable form of government in Iraq.

[jaesun]

I'm sure they could find a way to make a form of democracy work for them but I feel we will have a presence there for years and years to come. Just like we did with Germany. These things take some time and I think most of the American people don't have the patience for it. Iraq needs to step up on thier part and start proving that they can handle themselves.

[PETA]

They need both a functioning government and a reliable security force.... no clue if they can hold it together or not.

[Dionysos]

No.

[PETA]

which may beg the question... can we impose it on them anyway?

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by xian

which may beg the question... can we impose it on them anyway?

Sure, until we leave.

[reason]

Originally Posted by Ash

they can sustain a 'real' government, but it has to be something logical to the ideals, beliefs, and history of the people that live in the country. The American democratic way is not a favorable form of government in Iraq.

but what is that?!?!?!
I mean, the ideological differences between the ruling parties are the most important thing to them. When America was founded, it was on the basis of Christianity. Now, there were many different forms of protestants, but they were able to combine under one "religion" to write a constitution of agreed beliefs, and guidelines. Is this possible with the leaders in Iraq?

Originally Posted by xian

which may beg the question... can we impose it on them anyway?

I truly don't believe that we could.
These humans are much more founded in their beliefs that most Americans could ever dream to be (although they boast that they already are). More importantly, these people are still willing to fight and die for these beliefs.
Myself included; Most Americans today would not die for their beliefs. I am VERY solid in what I believe... but I have grown up in a society that encourages diplomacy over action (that's my excuse anyway). These guys are exactly the opposite.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

Sure, until we leave.

I don't think its a foregone conclusion even if you are probably right. The effort must be made.

Did you read that Stratfor report* on our talks with Iran.... looks like they may be willing to help pacify Bagdad, et al (by using their influence to quiet militias and terror gangs) in exchange for a bunch of things from us that we want in the first place.


* excerpt

In sum, this Iranian proposal called for a non-rushed withdrawal and relocation of U.S. troops to bases inside Iraq, a rejection of all attempts to partition Iraq, a commitment by the Sunni bloc to root out the jihadists and acknowledgement by Washington that the Iranian nuclear file cannot be uncoupled from the Iraq negotiations.

In return, Iran would rein in the armed Shiite militias, revise the de-Baathification law and Iraqi Constitution to double Sunni political representation, create a policy to allow for the fair distribution of oil revenues (particularly to the Sunnis) and use its regional influence to quell crises in areas such as Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

The terms put forth by the Iranians are so close to the U.S. position on Iraq that, with little exception, they could have been printed on State Department stationary and no one would have noticed the difference.