September 15-24, 2008

For a .pdf version of this Anbar Awakening, click here.

This week reporting from the Iraqi Awakening focused on two main issues, both of which related to the upcoming provincial elections: the Iraqi Awakening's relationship with the Government of Iraq (GOI), and leadership principles that should guide a new democratic Iraq.

The Iraqi Awakening and the Government of Iraq

In three separate reports, the Iraqi Awakening clarifies its relationship with the GOI. First, in "The Iraqi Awakening: an Objective Position," the Awakening differentiates itself from the Sons of Iraq program. It states that while those in the program have not been adequately treated by Iraqi politicians, the Sons of Iraq program is not the same as the Iraqi Awakening. The Iraqi Awakening grew out of the Anbar Awakening, where it played an important role in strengthening the Iraqi army, police, and security agencies. It is not a group of militias, as some Iraqi politicians have claimed. Only the Iraqi Security Forces are in charge of security, and not extrajudicial armed groups. The Iraqi Awakening is a registered political party and encourages political participation. People should not forget that the Awakening was able to bring back life and security in the country. Others should emulate the Awakening's example. Iraqi politicians and the media should be fair and objective when reporting on it.

(For article in Arabic, see: http://www.sahwataliraq.com/sahwataliraq/morepage/more126.html)

In a second article entitled "The Awakening: Deserving the Vote," the Iraqi Awakening explains to voters why it believes it deserves their vote. It says that the Awakening will be one of the many parties participating in the upcoming provincial elections, elections that they hope will be fair and transparent for all parties or individuals running. A rhetorical question is asked: "who made not only Anbar secure, but all of Iraq?" The answer: "The sons of the tribes as represented in the Iraqi Awakening. The Iraqi Awakening should not be regarded only as an organization that became a political party, but rather as the essence of those who stood up against injustice and brought back life, law, and institutions. Parties should join the list with the Iraqi Awakening because had the Awakening not brought back life and security, there would be no elections for everyone to compete in."

(For article in Arabic, see http://www.sahwataliraq.com/sahwataliraq/morepage/more127.html)

In a third article about the Iraqi Awakening, published in Asharq al-Awsat (the world's leading pan-Arab newspaper), Hameed Hais, president of the Anbar Salvation Council, states that his party will be joining a political list with the Iraqi Awakening led by Sheikh Ahmad Bezia in the upcoming provincial, then national, elections. Hais predicts inevitable success for the joint Awakening list. In addition, Hais belittles reports that the GOI is operating against the Awakening. He said it was the GOI and PM Nouri Maliki's support of the Anbar Awakening that helped it succeed in kicking al-Qaeda out from the province.

(For article in English, see http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=14130)

INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE: While the details of the upcoming elections are still not set, the Iraqi Awakening has started its campaign to solicit voters. The Awakening in Anbar has regular tribal leader visits not only from Sunnis from Baghdad, Salahideen or Diyala, but also regular visits from Shia tribal leaders from Southern Iraq. Arab tribes and former regime elements are the Iraqi Awakening's targeted base. They believe that combining a strong traditional Iraqi identity with educated nationalist technocrats will transcend sectarian lines, and resonate with voters. The Iraqi Awakening leadership is convinced that the political parties running Iraq are heavily influenced by regional interests and not Iraqi interests. More importantly, however, the Awakening believes that change will come through political reform, and not by violence. For the Iraqi Awakening, it is paramount that the coming elections be fair and without regional influence. These themes are often repeated in the Awakening's reporting.

Leadership Principles That Should Guide a New Democratic Iraq

(For article in Arabic, see http://www.sahwataliraq.com/sahwataliraq/morepage/more128.html)

In an article entitled "Successful Politics and the Street," the Iraqi Awakening lays out what it believes are the leadership principles that should guide a new democratic Iraq. It states that the main interest of political work should be the lives of the people. The politician working for the best interest of the people will be accepted. If the people's best interest is his goal, the street will support the politician. He must "be patient, slow to anger, simple, humble, self-confident, and not easily influenced by others' opinions while at the same time not be closed to other opinions. The politician should stick to the topic and choose his words wisely, not saying things he knows will anger others." The article follows that since independence in 1921, Iraqi leaders have ruled with their own personal philosophies. There is a new philosophy that came after the occupation of 2003-that being freedom, democracy and political pluralism. A result of that philosophy is evidenced in all of the new political parties in Iraq. However, the politicians in Iraq today are not practicing these principles, as evidenced in their choice of words and phrases. The article ends with a saying from the Imam Ali Ibn Talib: "I wish I had a camel's neck, so I could masticate my words before speaking." And it concludes with an admonition to Iraqi politicians to have their minds, thoughts, and views focused on the future and needs of the street.

INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE: This article is heavily nuanced. The words evoke traditional Iraqi and Islamic wisdom. Connecting politicians to the needs of the street is not part of the Iraqi cultural memory. The Awakening believes that Iraqis need to be more educated on what a pluralistic politique will mean in a new Iraq. They want to demonstrate that political pluralism won't force Iraq to compromise its positive values, as long as political leaders are true to the traditional values of wisdom and temperance. It's also important to note that the Awakening often quotes historic and modern Shia religious leaders who taught universal themes of tolerance and moderation.

Sterling Jensen worked as an Army contract linguist from the spring of 2006 to June 2007, during which time he was heavily involved in the U.S. government's tribal engagements as the Anbar Awakening took shape. He returned to Anbar in February 2008 as the Marines' first-ever civilian Foreign Area Officer, tasked with facilitating the First Marine Expeditionary Force's relations with Awakening leadership, religious leaders, and foreign regime elements. Jensen is currently enrolled in a Master's program at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.