Filibuster Cartoons
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Iraq’s current government is an unstable coalition of many different political parties who have temporarily joined forces in an attempt to create a government of national unity for these trying times. But back at the beginning of the month, the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was dealt a blow when the Sunni members of his coalition walked out of his administration. The Sunni parties claim that Maliki is in bed with the Sunni-killing Shiite militias that roam the streets of Iraq, which is more or less true.
So this week the Shiite rump of the Iraqi government signed a big fancy accord with the Sunni leadership, promising them a release of some political prisoners and an easing of the political restrictions on former members of Saddam’s Sunni-dominated Baath Party. It was an important breakthrough, and President Bush had been heavily hyping it. But in the end, the dream of a government of national unity for Iraq is still far off. Despite Malaki’s concessions, the Sunni parties still say they have no intention of rejoining his government. Time magazine has more.
