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Whither Now in Iraq?

The news today reports that Kim Beazley has called for the withdrawal of US and other forces from Iraq.

It will be interesting to see how this call plays out in Australia - for the subject of Iraq has not attracted nearly enough discussion, if any, in those quarters where it matters. For instance, the press has almost completely ignored challenging John Howard and his key Ministers about the ever-increasing mess unfolding in Iraq.

With the US reported to have determined not to provide any more funds for re-construction in Iraq and day-to-day conditions in Iraq deteriorating and oil productions / supplies reducing, one can only wonder how Iraq will not slip into being a total basket-case. A commentator on CNN yesterday suggested that the US may take the position that elections have been held and so what happens hereafter is for the Government and people of Iraq to decide for themselves. In other words, the allied forces can "walk" on the basis that the Iraqis will have to work out things themselves.

Another perspective on the Iraq debacle - and how it should be "handled" comes in this piece by Zbigniew Brzezinski, one-time National Security Adviser to President Jimmy Carter.

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