But the report says Mr. Hussein’s loyalists “are no longer a major source of funding for terrorist or insurgent groups in Iraq.” Part of the reason, the report says, is that an American-led international effort has frozen $3.6 billion in “former regime assets.” Another reason, it says, is that Mr. Hussein’s erstwhile loyalists, realizing that “it is increasingly obvious that a Baathist regime will not regain power in Iraq,” have turned increasingly to spending the money on their own living expenses. The trail to these assets “has grown cold,” the report adds.
This is from a NYT story (via Real Clear Politics) but I am still on a boycott despite the fact that John Burns is the lead author.
Unfortunately, this development isn't enough to starve the enemy. Criminal activity (including payments by France and Italy for hostages) and government corruption are now providing adequate funding to keep the insurgency going.
I had also written that eventually, after the insurgency was tamped down, we'd need to have FBI types to help the government battle corruption to keep such crime from undermining a new democracy and rule of law. Chicago-style machine politics was once considered democracy but no more and not with our press looking for all flaws.
But we can't wait until we win since the corruption isn't just undermining a new democracy but funding the insurgency that is keeping that democracy from even trying to build rule of law. We need advisors within Iraqi army and police units and we need advisors within the ministries to hunt down corrupt officials whose blood money is killing Iraqis. Trying and hanging a few might do some good.
Money is more important than a supply of explosives when it comes to putting IEDs in the field. We have to win this struggle.
