Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

An ‘Islamic civil war’ in Iraq?

Here is John "NightWatch" McCreary’s emphatic conclusion about the significance of an Iraqi security official’s charge that Arab states are behind the recent bombings in Basra: US forces have no relevance to this fight, would make themselves a Christian target in an Islamic civil war and need to leave before it gets worse. Any time ...

By , a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy.
البصراوي/flickr
البصراوي/flickr
البصراوي/flickr

Here is John "NightWatch" McCreary's emphatic conclusion about the significance of an Iraqi security official's charge that Arab states are behind the recent bombings in Basra:

Here is John "NightWatch" McCreary’s emphatic conclusion about the significance of an Iraqi security official’s charge that Arab states are behind the recent bombings in Basra:

US forces have no relevance to this fight, would make themselves a Christian target in an Islamic civil war and need to leave before it gets worse. Any time the Muslims fight among themselves, it strengthens the security of Israel and limits Iranian meddling in Afghanistan. There is no need for American children-soldiers to die to stop an Islamic civil war. Once democracy was instituted in Iraq, this outcome was inevitable.

Not so fast! The AP reports that some American officials are contemplating whether to slow the pace of troops withdrawals from Iraq. Of the Iraqi elections and political situation, U.S. ambassador Chris Hill tells the AP, "This is really not bad." When ambassadors start talking like that it is time to make sure your exit visa is valid.

Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1

More from Foreign Policy

Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.
Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.

Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak

Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.

Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.
Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.

Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage

The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.

A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.
A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.

The West’s False Choice in Ukraine

The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.

Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi
Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi

The Masterminds

Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.