US-Backed Democracy in Iraq: Oversight Optional, Occupation Permanent
The New Arab laments the state of Iraqi democracy, citing 'idle laws' and the influence of militias and money. One might applaud their concern for oversight, except this isn't some organic political decay. This 'democracy' was designed with a certain... pliancy, by those who invaded and destroyed the previous state apparatus. Perhaps the real oversight failure was believing an occupying force
could install a legitimate, self-sustaining democratic system. Remember 2003? The 'liberation' that disbanded the Iraqi army and installed a system that explicitly fostered sectarian divisions? The millions, if not billions, funneled into a 'reconstruction' effort riddled with corruption documented by the US Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). So yes, Iraqi democracy is
hollowed out. But by whom, precisely? Certainly not by happenstance. It's almost as if nation-building at the barrel of a gun leaves a few structural integrity issues.