February 03, 2005
The return of Ahmed Chalabi
Yet when it comes to terrorist plots, he seems to have given credence to the views of some fairly flaky ideologues and charlatans. Writing recently in The New Yorker, investigative reporter Seymour Hersh alleged that Cheney had, in effect, become the dupe of a cabal of neoconservative full-mooners, the Pentagon's mysteriously named Office of Special Plans and the patsy of an alleged bank swindler and would-be ruler of Iraq, Ahmad Chalabi.
Well Chalabi might be making a comeback. I first realized it in Fouad Ajami's article "A New Iraq" :
There is of course a Shiite slate, the United Iraqi List: it has the subtle endorsement of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The moving force behind that list is Ahmad Chalabi, leader of the Iraqi National Congress. The American regency broke with Mr. Chalabi, but he has found a big new role for himself. This is a broad political coalition, which includes powerful Shiite movements like the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and the Dawa Party. It is a sure thing that this list will fare well in Sunday's election.
Aaron Mannes, a supporter of Chalabi sees this as a good thing:
Had the United States backed Ahmed completely, it is possible that the reconstruction of Iraq would have gone better. But at the same time, Ahmed would have been easily criticized as an American agent. Now, having been dumped by the U.S. (undeservedly in my opinion) he will come to power as part of a popularly elected coalition. Calling him an American agent will no longer be credible. But, whatever the politics de jour Ahmed believes in liberty and democracy and will steer Iraq in that direction. He may not be an ally in lockstep with U.S. interests - but he will be a true friend who shares core American values.Lucky U.S. and lucky Iraq.
UPDATE: Though this has nothing to do with Chalabi, I give due credit to Thomas Friedman for a very good column at Doubting Thomas. Posted by SoccerDad at February 3, 2005 03:40 AM | TrackBack