This seems wise and necessary:
One month after Iraq's Dec. 15 election, a shift is afoot that will probably weaken Shiite political clout as the country's factions enter serious negotiations to form a new government.
Increasingly, the US is throwing its weight in Iraq behind Sunni Arabs, about 20 percent of the country, to ensure they are part of a new coalition government....
"There is a change in the way the Americans deal with us," [said one Sunni politician]. "There is a dialogue between us for the sake of saving this country."
Which is why this seems so unwise:
BAGHDAD — After more than 2 1/2 years of sputtering reconstruction work, the United States' "Marshall Plan" to rebuild this war-torn country is drawing to a close this year with much of its promise unmet and no plans to extend its funding.
If the U.S. is going to push for a real Sunni represenation in the government, it needs leverage. That's exactly what it's giving up by folding up the reconstruction effort.
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