Interesting perspective from Juan Cole's "Informed Comment"

[laststeamtrain]

"It is remarkable how the "experts" on Iraq ignore the most important section of Iraqi society: the non-tribal millions centred in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Kirkuk and some other large cities. These may well belong to tribes and may even be religious, but are totally independent. They regard their Sheikhs , if they know who they are, almost as a lower cast: Asha'ir (Tribal people) who are considered clumsy, thuggish, and worst of all obeying the tribes rather than following their principles or the country's institutions."

http://www.juancole.com/2005/08/its-cities-stupid-iraqi-reader-writes_17.html

[Wetzelbill]

1. Juan Cole gives consistently good analysis