Predictably, insurgency in Iraq has intensified as the March elections near; its scale and frequency was not predicted. Alastair Campbell beamed as a benevolent Uncle when talking about Iraq on Tuesday but Coalition diplomats fear for the democracy’s future. British ambassador to Baghdad, John Jenkins, told the Chilcot inquiry:
“Iraq faces a real possibility of a military coup…Although I think where we are at the moment is much better than where we thought it was going be back in 2004-05 you only need look at the history of Iraq to understand that a realistic threat still exists.”
Ayad Jamal Aldin, a Shia cleric who leads the anti-corruption, anti-Iranian and pro-secular Ahrar party, is more stoical:
“If you look at the previous military coups within the country there was unity and loyal support between the senior officers, sub-commanders and soldiers. They were fighting a common cause which they all believed in.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in