One of the things that distinguishes nations from states, and both from nation-states, is the assimilation and shared identification among ethnic and/or religious factions. Nations typically transcend state borders (e.g., the Kurds), and almost every state is nationally pluralistic (e.g., The United States). Only in the rarest of cases (e.g., Iceland) are the Ven Diagram circles of nation and state virtually identical and overlapping. Hence the inevitable bloodshed in Africa, or the Balkans, where colonialists imposed often-arbitrary state borders on disparate, even rival nations.
Iraq's colonial path to its modern history is, of course, no different. The formerly ruling, Hussein-led Sunnis dominated the majority Shiites mostly south of their central "triangle," while oppressing with more ruthless methods the Kurdish minority to their north.
And thus it is simply stunning to read this piece, entitled Shiites Rally to Sunni 'Brothers', by Karl Vick in Friday's Washington Post. Vick reports the details of Shiites donating supplies and even blood to support insurgent elements of the once-ruling Sunni class now fighting in Fallujah:
The [Shiite] cleric, Hassan Toaima, surveyed the scene with satisfaction as people filled a tent erected beside the shrine, flexing and unflexing their fists to push blood from their veins into plastic sacks that would be carried to war wounded in Fallujah.
"Look!" said Toaima, his eyes dancing below a tightly wrapped white turban. "This is strong proof that the people of Iraq will end wars between Sunni and Shiite before they begin.
"And we welcome Iraqis of all religions -- Jews, Christians, everyone -- to come and help the people of Fallujah and Karbala and Mosul and Nasiriyah and Basra."
The enthusiasm was shared at the sprawling complex that was known as the Mother of All Battles Mosque under President Saddam Hussein. Now it is home to the Association of Muslim Scholars, which controls 70 Sunni mosques in Baghdad and organized this week's drive for blood, cash, food and medical supplies.
"Sunni and Shiites together," said Ziyad Hamid, a council employee. "Unity existed before, but now it's becoming stronger still."
Note the cities quoted include both Sunni and Shiite areas of the country. Note, too, that coalition forces have now lost control not only of Sunni-dominated Fallujah, but also two Shiite cities (Najaf and Kut) to the South. It is not merely a deposed Sunni ruling class revolting from having their power taken away; the Shiites are revolting, and even supporting Sunni revolts, literally, with their blood. Of such things nation-states are made.
Yet somehow, I don't remember the president or any of the other neocons who argued for invasion as a way to create a self-determined, free Iraq predicting that the transformation of a nation-less state waging blood feuds into a nation-state organizing blood drives would proceed thusly.
