By Andrew L. Jaffee

In 2003, the U.S.-led coalition offered Iraqis a chance for democracy, independence, prosperity, and civilization. What have Iraqis chosen? It seems that murder and a petty lust for internecine violence — Arab/Muslim on Arab/Muslim violence — is what they have chosen:

The Iraqi government estimates that 150,000 Iraqis have been killed since 2003.

This year the death toll has been about 100 people every day, some 3,000 a month.

Is there still any hope left for Iraq? The best advice I’ve heard lately is from Michael Rubin:

Can this local emphasis work given the ongoing sectarian violence? Yes. Many Iraqis support ethnic militias because they provide services and security the central government is unable to supply. The greatest impediments to reconstruction now are corruption and security. But every day, U.S. servicemen go on patrol across Iraq. They visit every city, town and village. They know what is possible and can keep tabs on the money they are handing out. While billions spent by Green Zone diplomats have evaporated into the ether, U.S. troops can provide accountability.

Injecting money directly to local projects works. Indeed, it is how Muqtada Sadr and the militias have won hearts, if not minds, and at a far lower cost. Rather than ignore our enemies, we should copy their model of success. The stakes for Iraq and U.S. national security are simply too high to throw in the towel.

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Related: Arab/Muslim World, Iraq

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