Understanding Iraq

(AP)

With Katie now about mid-way through her assignment in Iraq, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at some of the issues confronting the country -- and to try and clarify what exactly is at stake.

In the next couple of days, we'll be hearing more on all this, from a variety of voices, but for now, we offer this fascinating flashback, from the always-interesting Fouad Ajami. In January, Katie posed 10 Questions to him about Iraq. We thought it was worth a second look. Since that conversation, of course, we've had the surge; we're now awaiting a series of important status reports, most significantly from General Petraeus.

Ajami's thoughts may help put the events of the next couple weeks in context.

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