In order to end the war in Iraq, the Democrats must confront the fact 'The Bush Surge' is not working. There is every reason to believe there is escalation of violence and death in Iraq because of USA occupation. When Bush/Cheney no longer have a viable strategy that is evident there is reason to end the war. Trying to control the money is simply giving Republicans reason to call Democrats Anti-War. We aren't, we are anti-corruption and anti-death in excess of a successful USA strategy.
The tensions between Sunnis and Shi'ites are throughout the region and not just Iraq. Iraq is where the war is between them. We have to end this. If the USA continues to fuel the violence by escalating war and infusing weapons availability to the region, the region will result in a war that will change it's geography. It has to stop. This isn't going to stop because there is a military victory. Militarization will destroy the Middle East.
Some blame Syria for crisis, others finger US
By Abdo Saad Special to The Daily Star
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
BEIRUT: Shiites and Sunnis see separate causes behind the seeming increase in sectarian tensions in Lebanon, according to a survey conducted by the Beirut Center for Research and Information (BCRI) which was released last week. The survey found that Sunnis ascribe heightened tensions to two main causes: Hizbullah's alliance with Syria, and the conflict over an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri and other crimes.
Shiites in Lebanon gave different reasons for the split, the survey found. Almost 60 percent of Shiite respondents said the alliance of the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora with the United States and France was the main source of sectarian tension in Lebanon.
The BCRI survey showed that 97 percent of Shiites polled were not in favor of the disarmament of Hizbullah in exchange for more political privileges for Shiites.
"Despite the current animosity between Arab countries and Iran," the survey found, a majority of Lebanese Sunni respondents did not perceive the growing influence of Iran as a threat, but rather considered the United States and Israel as "enemies to Arabs."
Around 52 percent of Sunnis endorsed Iran's nuclear program, while 63 percent of them saw the US as the major cause of trouble in Iraq. Just over 20 percent saw Iran as the main source.
BEIRUT: Shiites and Sunnis see separate causes behind the seeming increase in sectarian tensions in Lebanon, according to a survey conducted by the Beirut Center for Research and Information (BCRI) which was released last week. The survey found that Sunnis ascribe heightened tensions to two main causes: Hizbullah's alliance with Syria, and the conflict over an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri and other crimes.
Shiites in Lebanon gave different reasons for the split, the survey found. Almost 60 percent of Shiite respondents said the alliance of the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora with the United States and France was the main source of sectarian tension in Lebanon.
The BCRI survey showed that 97 percent of Shiites polled were not in favor of the disarmament of Hizbullah in exchange for more political privileges for Shiites.
"Despite the current animosity between Arab countries and Iran," the survey found, a majority of Lebanese Sunni respondents did not perceive the growing influence of Iran as a threat, but rather considered the United States and Israel as "enemies to Arabs."
Around 52 percent of Sunnis endorsed Iran's nuclear program, while 63 percent of them saw the US as the major cause of trouble in Iraq. Just over 20 percent saw Iran as the main source.
