Petraeus's Challenge: Security and Reconciliation
Stemming the tide of violence, of course, is proving equally difficult. But though the large-scale, sensational attacks throughout the capital have continued, Petraeus pointed out some positive developments–that sectarian killings have been lower in Baghdad over the past several weeks than in the previous month and that some families have returned to the neighborhoods from which they were displaced, though those families are few and far between. In the small windows that these advances provide, re-establishing basic services is equally vital in bringing about security, say advisers.
"Indeed," Petraeus added, "Iraqis have often ranked the provision of services ahead of security in importance." And as long as schools remain closed in the wake of spiraling violence, for example, youths without the ability to, say, read, are far more likely to join violent groups.
In the meantime, there is some overlap in seemingly disparate goals.
"The good news is that some of what you'd want to do for a counterinsurgency and a civil war coincide," says O'Hanlon. "Certainly providing good security for the population is a valid approach either way." And the Baghdad regional conference remains an important start.
"This is the first small movement in the right direction. It's a long process," said one Sunni lawmaker. "Our neighbors have to understand that they cannot succeed if Iraq's political process fails."
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