Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-iq.png "Flag of Iraq") | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
Iraqis Protest US Troop Agreement
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| Summary |
On Friday in Baghdad’s Firdous Square, thousands of Iraqis protested a proposed troop deal that would allow the United States to maintain military numbers for an additional three years. The US military’s UN mandate for troops expires in December, and the agreement is a means to continue the work started more than six years ago in Iraq. However, the Shia leader and cleric Moqtada al-Sadr organized the protest to denounce the “agreement of humiliation” he claimed was being controlled by the United States, the “enemy of Islam.” Firdous Square was the location made infamous when US soldiers toppled a statue of Saddam Hussein there five years ago.
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| Analysis |
The agreement was forged between US leaders and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and is currently awaiting passage in Parliament. The Shia segment of the population, many devoted followers of al-Sadr, came out to protest. They claimed that the United States would further shame them, thus vehemently displaying their opposition.
The different ethnic groups that comprise Iraq’s population were called upon to unite against the proposition by al-Sadr, as he emphasized “Iraqi unity among Arabs, Kurds, all communities of Iraq, to reject the security pact.” The BBC reports that in addition to the Shia protestors, many Sunni Muslims have reservations regarding the deal as well. The impact of the usually opposing sects banding together could be very detrimental to the authority of the government.
The subjective dialogue, as described in the social constructivism theory, is taking place in this situation. However, the dialogue has been utilized by cleric al-Sadr to stir the emotions of Iraqis against the agreement and, accordingly, against the government. Although the protest is not expected to have any results in turning over the deal, the government should reach out to the people. The cleric has done so first, and has obviously garnered many supporters.
The Iraqi government must begin to communicate with its people to avoid any uprisings. The fragile political system in Iraq cannot afford the sway al-Sadr is apparently creating. Outside sources point the orchestration of the protest as evidence the cleric is “securing his position for when the Americans leave."
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| Perspective |  | Identity |
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| Submitted | November 21, 2008 at 11:41 am | |
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