Who Owns Iraq

I read something great this morning. Today's Washington Post reports that in large parts of Iraq, attitudes are shifting against the insurgency that has killed far more Iraqis than the foreigners it claims to oppose.

What has changed? Materially, not much. Infrastructure is still lacking, foreign troops are still stationed withing Iraq's borders, and an interim non-elected government still ostensibly runs the country. Psychologically, however, it's a brave new world. This bravery is symbolized by men and women like Iraqi policeman Abdul Amir, who saw a suspicious person with a jacket approaching a polling site on election day. He single-handedly chased and tackled the suspicious man, who then immediately detonated his explosive laden vest, killing himself and Amir. Iraqis now have an Iraqi to look to as a protector and hero. Amir is joined by thousands of colleagues in the Iraqi police force who have similarly chosen to risk everything for the cause of protecting and birthing a new nation, conceived in war, but dedicated to the proposition that all men desire liberty.

All women appear to share this desire as well. It was not Iraq's men but her women that led the way to the polling sites. Often bringing their entire families along with them, they were on the front lines of the election effort and made the day truly historic.

Popular legend has it the Colin Powell told President Bush that if he invaded Iraq the "Pottery Barn Rule" would come into force. Namely, "You break it, you own it." For a time, it appeared to be a truism as the U.S. declared victory and then was forced to undeclare it and to prepare American citizens for further sacrifices in lives and treasure. Sovereignty was transferred from Paul Bremer and the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraqi Interim government. This transfer was more symbolic than substantive. Despite this shortcoming, Prime Minister Allawi's government scored its most important victory the day it held Iraq's first free elections in decades, the day it earned through blood and hard work the right to transfer its sovereignty to the Iraqi people.

Ask an ordinary Iraqi citizen who owns Iraq and you'll likely hear an answer with a ring of faithful familiarity: "We the people" do.