One, the Iraqis understand that no amount of corruption can lead to a jail break from a grave:
The Iraqis have come up with a temporary solution to prison corruption. To the dismay of many in the West Iraq uses the death penalty a lot. Westerners often fail to realize that the Iraqis are simply responding to corruption and the need to put the most prolific killers out of action. No one escapes from the grave.
I can only hope that it is too difficult to bribe or threaten their way out of the conviction itself.
We and the Iraqis have reacted in a more quiet fashion, too:
American Special Forces (and intelligence specialists) are back, to help the government deal with the Sunni Arab terrorists. The Sunni-Shia conflict remains a major issue in Iraq, as does fear of Iranian aggression and influence. The Americans had the most success against the Sunni terrorism, and the government wants to get some of that American know-how back.
Good. Throw in law enforcement, corrections, and judicial specialists to help with the rule of law thing, and we can work on that rule of law problem.
Add in 3 American combat brigades and Air Force assets, and we stiffen the resolve of all Iraqis to resist Iranian pressure and also to resist the temptation to break the rules and seize power.
Losing Iraq would be an unforced error at this point. Let's cement and exploit this win.
