Strange Bedfellows

"Discussions to form coalitions in the provincial governments between the winners and losers are almost over. As no party won the majority they need each other in order to effectively run the provinces and watching how this plays out is somewhat fascinating.

Almost immediately after the first indications hinted at a Maliki victory the secular ex-Ba'athist Allawi who chose to stay in opposition because he couldn't stand UIA policies on many issues, including federalism, was seen cosying up with the Islamist Hakim who is still dreaming of an autonomous oil-rich south. The Sadrists, still bearing the scars from Maliki's relentless onslaught against the Mehdi Army in the Spring of 2008, have decided to be on Maliki's team.

It is precisely this weird dynamic nature of Iraqi politics, I think, that makes Iraq such an interesting subject for foreign scholars. For some Iraqis its just downright funny. The Iraqi Army, on direct orders from its Commander-in-Chief, spent three months last year fighting, and more importantly defeating, the "outlaws" (a fancy name Maliki decided to give the Sadrist Mehdi Army) in Basra, Baghdad and Amara but now the Sadrists are willing to form coalitions in the south just for the sake of seeing Hakim on the losing side. Allawi who was given harsh treatment, to put gently, by Hakim's followers has suddenly decided it would be a good thing to work with Hakim."
Eye Raki