The Sunnis new best friend in Iraq--the US

As this story on the haggling over the draft of the Iraqi constitution points out, the Sunnis are looking to the US for help in negotiating witht he Shia and Kurds. They also seem to be more open to understanding of the Kurdish points of view than they are of the Shia.

There is also cooperation on the ground. The attack against the al Qaeda safe house in Husbayah was as a result of cooperation between US forces and Sunnis who are fighting Zarqawis al Qaeda forces for control of the area. In the past the US has been something of an interested observer in the "red on red" attacks. Now it appears the Sunnis are working with US forces. That is an aspect of the war that appears to have gone with only casual notice. It could be very significant.

The Sunnis fight with the US has always been irrational outside of the Baathist thugs who do not want to be brought to account for the state terrorism they practiced under Saddam. Some of them having invited al Qaeda into their area are clearly regretting it. It is also clear that what the SU is offering them is much better than what al Qaeda is offerring. At some point rational thought has to overcome emotions and feelings (obviously Cindy Sheehan is an exception).

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