Iraq and Afghanistan

The Fight Within the Fight

Sunday's paper confirms the picture that has been emerging of a split in the Sunni camp between the Iraqi national resistance and the foreigner-inspired extremist resistance. The nationalist resistance is especially incensed by the widespread use of car bombs and other munitions against largely civilian targets. Surprisingly, both groups seem to have their headquarters in Falluja. Zarqawi has been attacked in opposition media, and now he lashes back with attacks on their "weakness". The goals of the nationalists have been expressed in purely patriotic terms, in terms of support for Hussein, and in terms of getting Sunnis into more positions of power. The fact Allawi is a former Baathist is causing some of this group to think again about opposition. But the one thing that unites all the opposition at present is the continued presence of American troops.

Would that we could simply leave. Again, we should heed the good advice to give a firm date for leaving. We have shown that we live up to other dates. Perhaps this one would be believed.