Informed Speculation

It’s important that death tolls from suicide bombings, no matter how large, not be construed as having any larger meaning than the obvious one that there are still basic security issues in Iraq. Suicide bombing is not a political platform, nor is it a statement of anything other than brutal nihilism.

On the contrary, even in a week with a heartbreaking body count such as this one, there continue to be signs that cautious optimism is the smart bet for Iraq. Today we learn that political talks aimed at forming a post-election coalition are moving forward, and that the U.S. is becoming more involved in speaking directly with disaffected parties that either are or would be likely to support the insurgency:

Iraq’s fractious political groups could form a coalition government within weeks, the country’s president said Saturday, as U.S. officials have increased post-election contacts with disaffected Sunni Arabs linked to the insurgency.

Jalal Talabani, Iraq’s Kurdish president, offered a timeframe on the formation of a government after meeting with visiting British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who said Iraqis remain optimistic about their future despite suffering through a violent week that saw nearly 200 people killed in two days, including 11 U.S. troops.

In an effort to help draw Sunni Arabs into the political process as a way to dampen the violence, U.S. officials for months have been communicating directly or through channels with members of the disaffected minority connected to the insurgency.

More on the latest moves, including the uniting of the two main Kurdish blocs, from Iraq the Model…