The Rise of the Shiites

Two good interpretations of the upcoming elections in Iraq, and what they mean to the Shiite majority. Easy to see why groups of Sunnis are proposing delays. Greg Djerejian at Belgravia Dispatch examines the historical significance from a policy maker point of view. Charles Krauthammer calls it a civil war, with mostly good implications.

Everyone knows the outcome will be a historic transfer of power to the Shiites (and, to some extent, the Kurds). We must make it clear that we will be there to support that new government. But we also have to make it clear that we are not there to lead the fight indefinitely. It is their civil war.