Reconciling the Factions in Iraq

Michael Eisenstadt and Ahmed Ali are not optimistic about Iraq. They, like many others, believe that reconciliation between the various parties is a sine qua non for a peaceful Iraq. But there are many challenges, to wit

Vested interests.

Persistent violence.

Elusive consensus.

Justice denied.

Demographic complexity.

Multilayered conflicts.

Iraqi political culture.

Election-year politics.

External meddling.