WASHINGTON – Lawmakers returning here this week got hit with more bad news about Iraq in a confidential report that says the fragile democracy is “collapsing,” the Daily News has learned.

The boycott of the government by certain Shiite and Kurdish political blocs has left Iraq’s leadership hanging by a thread, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.

The report by CRS, Congress’ research and analysis arm, was completed Aug. 15 for the House and Senate.

“My assessment is that because of the number and breadth of parties boycotting the cabinet, the Iraqi government is in essential collapse,” Kenneth Katzman, the author of the report, said. “That argues against any real prospects for political reconciliation.”

Without a political infrastructure in Iraq, any military progress would be short-lived, he added.

I can’t even begin to verify this not so secret report, none of my contacts will specifically stand up for it as being the gospel, but all of them are agreeing that it IS a fairly good assessment of what is likely the TRUE situation in Iraq, it’s linked and you can read it and come to your own conclusions, personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was fairly accurate, that would certainly explain the ‘secret‘ trip Bush made to Iraq recently and could be the reason that rumors of a strong Bush to al-Maliki ’get it together’ message are floating about…

Katzman, who grew up in Long Island, also challenged the success of the Baghdad Security Plan, known as the troop “surge,” which President Bush claims is working.

“I would even question the military progress,” he said.

All I have to say about the surge is this, Baghdad is safer simply because the insurgents headed for easier targets to attack once the surge was begun…

Many senior State Department officials in Iraq believe a political solution to the war is now “hopeless,” according to a top diplomat.

“I would agree with that,” Katzman said.

Time will tell, and history will be have the distinct honor of being the final judge that determines whether or not a diplomatic solution in Iraq was a hopeless effort, personally, I believe it IS hopeless, the divides in Iraq are too deep and dictatorial domination is ALL they know, until that is bred out of the Iraqi mindset, diplomacy, to them, is a bullet behind the ear…

Full Story Here:
Iraq government near collapse, secret report says

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