Redstate

By Pejman Yousefzadeh Posted in War — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

A key goal of the American counterinsurgency strategy is to get the local population to support reconstruction efforts and to feel that it has a stake in the success of the host nation. The United States may have taken a giant step towards the fulfillment of that goal:

American commanders in southern Iraq say Shiite sheiks are showing interest in joining forces with the U.S. military against extremists, in much the same way that Sunni clansmen in the western part of the country have worked with American forces against al-Qaida.

Sheik Majid Tahir al-Magsousi, the leader of the Migasees tribe here in Wasit province, acknowledged tribal leaders have discussed creating a brigade of young men trained by the Americans to bolster local security as well as help patrol the border with Iran.

He also said last week's assassination of Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, who spearheaded the Sunni uprising against al-Qaida in Anbar province, only made the Shiite tribal leaders more resolute.

"The death of Sheik Abu Risha will not thwart us," he said. "What matters to us is Iraq and its safety."

If the sheikhs keep to their word, the effects will be hugely positive. Of course, the Shi'ites, being the dominant population in Iraq, have a stronger stake in ensuring that Iraq is workable and viable, as they want to have a workable and viable state in which to exercise power. But that doesn't change the fact that an alliance between the U.S. and the sheikhs against the militias would be tremendously helpful in restoring peace and stability in Iraq.

We'll see what happens. But if hopes are fulfilled in the coming weeks and months, I would expect that the media would cover this story at least as much as it covered discouraging ones.