Still no light in the darkness

Five years after the invasion of Iraq by allied forces the situation there is no better for Iraqi citizens. Sadly, there are a significant minority of civilians there who claim that things are much worse than when Saddam Hussain ruled, despite his dictatorship.

It is a poor reflection on the combined efforts of the allies, principally led by the US, and underscores the complete failure of the US administration to fully prepare for events following its incursion into Iraqi territory.

The US points, selectively, to limited areas where a measure of success can be perceived, only to realise that some hours or days later there is a reversal of fortune and the terrorists have taken the initiative and are in control once again.

The constant swings of the pendulum of success sap the strength of the military and undermines their efficiency while discrediting their efforts in Iraqi eyes.

Despite promises by the US in conjunction with other Western allies to train former Iraqi military and police into a fighting force to counter insurgents, the Iraqis are far from ready to fight, and unwilling to go against their own people.

Such an attitude is fodder to the insurgents, who sow seeds of further discontent among Iraqis by successfully striking against them as, when and where they determine. The constant undermining of Iraqi authority, such as it is, brings chaos to an effective government and disillusionment of its people.

Recent criticism of the US for shelling a hospital in Baghdad and killing at least 14 people and wounding twice as many more, does nothing to improve the reputation of the allied forces.

Equally, contentious statements against the prime minister by Sadrists will only serve to help the already fraught situation in Iraq and create a further divide among the sects when they should be seeking common ground.