Top Ten Myths about Iraq, 2008

If one were to believe the media things are on the up in Iraq. Troops are being withdrawn, the Iraqs are doing things for and by themselves, etc. etc.

Professor Juan Cole, veteran commentator and Middle East expert begs to differ in a piece "Top Ten Myths about Iraq, 2008" on his blog Informed Comment.

The first of the 10:

"1. Iraqis are safer because of Bush's War. In fact, conditions of insecurity have helped created both an internal and external refugee problem:

' At least 4.2 million Iraqis were displaced. These included 2.2 million who were displaced within Iraq and some 2 million refugees, mostly in Syria (around 1.4 million) and Jordan (around half a million). In the last months of the year both these neighbouring states, struggling to meet the health, education and other needs of the Iraqi refugees already present, introduced visa requirements that impeded the entry of Iraqis seeking refuge. Within Iraq, most governorates barred entry to Iraqis fleeing sectarian violence elsewhere.'

The following 9 can be read here.

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