In Summary:
1. What is the Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal?
The Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal (www.iraqconfederation.org) is a plan for decentralized government in
Iraq that could end its civil war and allow American forces to honorably withdraw. Iraq's provinces would
consolidate into self-governing regions to end the sectarian fight for control of the national government. Each
region would have its own constitution, governor, legislature, courts, militia and police. Iraq's national security
forces would be disbanded so they couldn't be used by one sect to dominate other sects. Iraq's national
government would retain many of its constitutional responsibilities; including regional oil revenue sharing,
protection of free trade, and conduct of foreign relations. To compensate for the harm done to Iraq by America's
invasion, America would provide reconstruction aid and restitution payments for deaths, injuries, and damages.
2. Who am I and why should you continue reading?
I am not an expert nor a scholar. I'm just someone who believes that if a solution to Iraq's civil war is
understandable and acceptable to ordinary people, then ordinary people can end the war by encouraging their
leaders to accept the solution. I followed the principles of Analogy and Fairness to develop this solution. Analogy
is asking “What solution ended a similar conflict in the past?” Fairness is asking “Would I want this solution done
to me?”
3. What past conflict is similar to the civil war in Iraq?
The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) to be free from British domination is similar to the civil war in
Iraq. The similarity is as follows: a) The Shia controlled Iraqi government is playing the role of the oppressive
British government. b) Sunni insurgents who fight the Shia controlled government are playing the role of the
American revolutionaries. c) American forces in Iraq are playing the role of the Hessians: German soldiers hired
by the British to help stamp out the revolt. Using this analogy doesn't mean Sunni insurgents are good, Shia
government is bad, and American forces are mercenaries. Using this analogy means that the solution to the
American Revolutionary War can end the war in Iraq because the conflicts are similar enough: Sunni insurgents
have revolted against Shia domination, the Shia government has oppressively fought the revolt, and American
forces are fighting to support an oppressive foreign government.
4. Why is Iraq's democratically elected Shia government oppressive?
Because the minority Sunnis unfairly dominated the majority Shias during Saddam Hussein's Baathist dictatorship,
the democratically elected Shia government has used its power to retaliate. Under De-Baathification laws,
thousands of Sunnis have been expelled from government employment. Sunnis have responded with an
insurgency; not only attacking the Shia government but also civilians and American forces who support the
government. The Shia government has oppressively fought the insurgency by aiding Shia militia attacks on Sunni
civilians. In summary, De-Baathification and democracy created civil war in Iraq.
5. Won't Iraq's Shia government end its oppression after the Sunni insurgency is defeated?
America imposed a federal (strong national government) democracy in Iraq, which encourages sectarian conflict
because whoever controls the national government and its security forces can dominate all of Iraq. Because the
Shia are the majority sect in Iraq, they will always control the national government through democratic elections.
Since the Sunnis will fight this “tyranny of the majority,” the Shia government will have to remain oppressive to
maintain control.
6. Since Iraq's conflict is similar, how did the American Revolutionary War end?
After seven years of fighting, the technically and numerically superior British forces could not stamp out the
American revolt. With no popular support at home to continue the fighting, the British House of Commons voted
to end the war. After Britain's withdrawal, the American Continental Army that fought the British was disbanded
and Americans governed themselves in thirteen states connected to a weak national government operating under
the Articles of Confederation.
7. Why would a confederation end Iraq's civil war?
Sunni insurgents are fighting for control of Iraq's national government and national security forces in order to be
free from Shia domination. Under confederation, Iraq's national security forces would be disbanded and Iraq's
national government would be weakened so neither could be used by one sect to dominate other sects. Free from
Shia domination, Sunnis could rebuild their livelihoods and seek government employment in regions self-governed
by Sunnis.
8. How can an Iraqi confederation be created?
Iraq's constitution grants provinces the right by majority vote to consolidate into regions to limitedly govern
themselves. Iraq's constitution already recognizes three northern provinces as the region of Kurdistan. The fifteen
remaining provinces have yet to act on consolidation. America should ask Iraq's Shia government to create a
confederation timetable of not longer than twelve months to achieve the following milestones: a) Consolidation of
provinces into regions. b) Election of regional officials. c) Agreement on regional oil revenue sharing. d) Reform
of De-Baathification laws. e) Recruitment of regional militias. f) Disbandment of national security forces. To
compensate for the harm done to Iraq by America's invasion, America would provide reconstruction aid and
restitution payments for deaths, injuries, and damages. Upon completion of all confederation milestones, American
forces would completely withdraw from Iraq except for a small security force in the American embassy.
9. Aren't Iraq's provinces too sectarianly mixed to confederate?
Confederation does not require sectarian separation. Under confederation, Iraq's regions would still be sectarianly
mixed though each regional government would be majority sect controlled. Iraqis could safely stay where they are
by swearing loyalty to their regional government. Iraqis who are unhappy with their regional government could
freely move to another region.
10. Under confederation, what would remain of Iraq's national government?
Iraq's constitution establishes a number of responsibilities for the national government that would continue under
confederation; including regional oil revenue sharing, protection of free trade, and conduct of foreign relations.
Since Iraq's national security forces would be disbanded under confederation to prevent their sectarian abuse, the
national government's need for security forces to defend Iraq would be satisfied through regional contributions of
militias to serve under national officers: just as was done at the beginning of America's confederation.
11. Under confederation, what would unite Iraq's regions into one nation?
Under confederation, three things would unite Iraq's regions into one nation: Oil, Water, Security. The Sunnis in
the middle of the country have no oil but can control the flow of water to the oil-rich Shia areas in the south. The
Kurds in the north have oil but their pipelines run through Sunni areas. The Shias control Iraq's only water port,
needed by all for international trade. As independent nations, Iraq's regions would face threats from one another
and from neighboring countries. As a confederation, each region would be safer and richer than each could be
alone.
12. What if Iraq's Shia government refuses to confederate?
If Iraq's Shia government refuses to confederate, then it is choosing to oppressively govern as Saddam Hussein
did in his dictatorship. Since America does not support oppression, America would announce an immediate
unilateral withdrawal. American forces would not remain in any province of Iraq because that would obstruct
future reconciliation through confederation. Asylum in the United States would be granted to Iraqis fearing
persecution for having assisted American forces. To discourage neighboring countries from interfering in Iraq
and to attack Islamic terrorists operating in Iraq, American forces would police Iraq's air space from bases in
Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
13. Doesn't America have a moral obligation to stay in Iraq and stamp out its civil war?
America invaded Iraq to end the threat from weapons of mass destruction. The threat was a bluff, which was the
fault of Saddam Hussein. America's attempt to rebuild Iraq through De-Baathification and democracy created civil
war, which America has paid for in thousands of American soldiers killed, tens of thousands wounded, and
hundreds of billions spent. By staying, America stands in the way of Iraqis confronting the full consequences of
continued civil war: a realization that's required to encourage Iraqi reconciliation through confederation.
14. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal plunge Iraq into a catastrophic civil war?
Iraq's civil war is mostly being fought in Baghdad where Sunnis are fighting Shias for control of the national
government. Without American forces for support, Iraq's national government would collapse, creating an
involuntarily confederation. Northern Kurds and southern Shias have militias and local governments to defend and
control their regions. Without a national government to revolt against, Sunnis could either fight for nothing or
seek reconciliation through confederation.
15. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal pull Iraq's neighbors into a sectarian war?
“Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” This quote by American Revolutionary War General John Stark
declares every man's demand to be free from domination. Sunni, Shia, Arab, Persian, and Kurd are sectarian
identities that Muslims fight behind when their freedoms and livelihoods are destroyed as happened in America's
invasion of Iraq. Muslims surrounding Iraq would not destroy their freedoms and livelihoods by repeating
America's mistake of invading Iraq.
16. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal threaten oil production in and around Iraq?
Iraq's oil production is lower now than before America's invasion because of Sunni insurgent attacks on oil
facilities. If civil war continues in Baghdad after America's unilateral withdrawal, oil production could still
continue in the Shia south. Since oil is the primary source of revenue for Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, they
would be discouraged from threatening their own production by interfering in Iraq.
17. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal harm its reputation and increase Islamic terrorism?
Islamic terrorism is an ideology, not a country. Just as the ideology of Communism was defeated by engagement
rather than invasion of countries, Islamic terrorism can also be defeated by engaging countries in mutually
beneficial economic and security alliances. In past wars, America freed countries from foreign invasion. In Iraq,
America is the foreign invasion. America would help its reputation by supporting Iraq's confederation, providing
reconstruction aid, paying restitution, and withdrawing.
18. Didn't the Iraq Study Group reject confederation?
In a report released by the United States Institute of Peace (www.usip.org), the Iraq Study Group rejected the
option to separate Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions. The Group's arguments against separation are similar
to arguments against confederation:
“The costs associated with devolving Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions with loose central control would be
too high. Because Iraq’s population is not neatly separated, regional boundaries cannot be easily drawn. All
eighteen Iraqi provinces have mixed populations, as do Baghdad and most other major cities in Iraq. A rapid
devolution could result in mass population movements, collapse of the Iraqi security forces, strengthening of
militias, ethnic cleansing, destabilization of neighboring states, or attempts by neighboring states to dominate
Iraqi regions. Iraqis, particularly Sunni Arabs, told us that such a division would confirm wider fears across the
Arab world that the United States invaded Iraq to weaken a strong Arab state.”
I don't agree that confederation would result in mass population movements, since most Iraqis would swear
loyalty to their regional governments in order to stay where they are and maintain their livelihoods. I do agree that
confederation would result in the strengthening of militias and collapse of the national army: precisely what is
needed to create security among the newly confederated regions. I'm not sure that confederation would result in
ethnic cleansing, defined as forcing sectarian minorities to move to other regions, but if it happens it would be
better than civil war. I don't agree that confederation would destabilize neighboring states, since confederation
would stabilize Iraq. I don't agree that neighboring states would attempt to dominate Iraqi regions, since invaders
would be met with the same resistance that American forces now face in Iraq. Finally, rather than weakening a
strong Arab state, confederation would strengthen Iraq by ending civil war.
19. Does anyone propose a plan for Iraq similar to confederation?
U.S. Senator Joseph Biden proposes a Five Point Plan for Iraq (www.planforiraq.com) that would: 1) Keep Iraq
Together Through Federalism and Local Control. 2) Secure Support from the Sunnis. 3) Enlist Help from the
Major Powers and Iraq's Neighbors. 4) Responsibly Drawdown US Troops. 5) Increase Reconstruction
Assistance and Create a Jobs Program. Among the major problems I see with Senator Biden's plan are: a) Retains
Iraq's national security forces, risking their abuse by one sect to dominate other sects. b) Leaves up to 20,000
American troops in or near Iraq, providing encouragement for Islamic terrorists. c) Deploys international
peacekeeping forces in Baghdad, continuing the foreign occupation of Iraq. d) Involves too many outside parties,
complicating its implementation.
20. How can you help end Iraq's civil war through the Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal?
Americans should contact President Bush, senators, representatives, media, columnists, and bloggers to express
support for the Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal. Iraqis should express their support for confederation to both
Iraqi and American leaders. To learn how to contact your elected and opinion leaders, see Forward the Proposal
page. To get the latest news on this proposal, see Latest News page.
- America invaded Iraq to remove a dictator in the hope that more democratic governments in the Middle
East would reduce Muslim support for Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. - The democratically elected Shia Muslim government in Iraq expelled Sunni Muslims from power and jobs,
putting American forces in the middle of a three-way civil war between Iraq's government, displaced
Sunnis, and opposition Shias. - America can achieve its goals of spreading democracy and ending Iraq's civil war by encouraging a
confederation of regional governments in Iraq that would allow Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds to divide power
and jobs.
1. What is the Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal?
The Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal (www.iraqconfederation.org) is a plan for decentralized government in
Iraq that could end its civil war and allow American forces to honorably withdraw. Iraq's provinces would
consolidate into self-governing regions to end the sectarian fight for control of the national government. Each
region would have its own constitution, governor, legislature, courts, militia and police. Iraq's national security
forces would be disbanded so they couldn't be used by one sect to dominate other sects. Iraq's national
government would retain many of its constitutional responsibilities; including regional oil revenue sharing,
protection of free trade, and conduct of foreign relations. To compensate for the harm done to Iraq by America's
invasion, America would provide reconstruction aid and restitution payments for deaths, injuries, and damages.
2. Who am I and why should you continue reading?
I am not an expert nor a scholar. I'm just someone who believes that if a solution to Iraq's civil war is
understandable and acceptable to ordinary people, then ordinary people can end the war by encouraging their
leaders to accept the solution. I followed the principles of Analogy and Fairness to develop this solution. Analogy
is asking “What solution ended a similar conflict in the past?” Fairness is asking “Would I want this solution done
to me?”
3. What past conflict is similar to the civil war in Iraq?
The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) to be free from British domination is similar to the civil war in
Iraq. The similarity is as follows: a) The Shia controlled Iraqi government is playing the role of the oppressive
British government. b) Sunni insurgents who fight the Shia controlled government are playing the role of the
American revolutionaries. c) American forces in Iraq are playing the role of the Hessians: German soldiers hired
by the British to help stamp out the revolt. Using this analogy doesn't mean Sunni insurgents are good, Shia
government is bad, and American forces are mercenaries. Using this analogy means that the solution to the
American Revolutionary War can end the war in Iraq because the conflicts are similar enough: Sunni insurgents
have revolted against Shia domination, the Shia government has oppressively fought the revolt, and American
forces are fighting to support an oppressive foreign government.
4. Why is Iraq's democratically elected Shia government oppressive?
Because the minority Sunnis unfairly dominated the majority Shias during Saddam Hussein's Baathist dictatorship,
the democratically elected Shia government has used its power to retaliate. Under De-Baathification laws,
thousands of Sunnis have been expelled from government employment. Sunnis have responded with an
insurgency; not only attacking the Shia government but also civilians and American forces who support the
government. The Shia government has oppressively fought the insurgency by aiding Shia militia attacks on Sunni
civilians. In summary, De-Baathification and democracy created civil war in Iraq.
5. Won't Iraq's Shia government end its oppression after the Sunni insurgency is defeated?
America imposed a federal (strong national government) democracy in Iraq, which encourages sectarian conflict
because whoever controls the national government and its security forces can dominate all of Iraq. Because the
Shia are the majority sect in Iraq, they will always control the national government through democratic elections.
Since the Sunnis will fight this “tyranny of the majority,” the Shia government will have to remain oppressive to
maintain control.
6. Since Iraq's conflict is similar, how did the American Revolutionary War end?
After seven years of fighting, the technically and numerically superior British forces could not stamp out the
American revolt. With no popular support at home to continue the fighting, the British House of Commons voted
to end the war. After Britain's withdrawal, the American Continental Army that fought the British was disbanded
and Americans governed themselves in thirteen states connected to a weak national government operating under
the Articles of Confederation.
7. Why would a confederation end Iraq's civil war?
Sunni insurgents are fighting for control of Iraq's national government and national security forces in order to be
free from Shia domination. Under confederation, Iraq's national security forces would be disbanded and Iraq's
national government would be weakened so neither could be used by one sect to dominate other sects. Free from
Shia domination, Sunnis could rebuild their livelihoods and seek government employment in regions self-governed
by Sunnis.
8. How can an Iraqi confederation be created?
Iraq's constitution grants provinces the right by majority vote to consolidate into regions to limitedly govern
themselves. Iraq's constitution already recognizes three northern provinces as the region of Kurdistan. The fifteen
remaining provinces have yet to act on consolidation. America should ask Iraq's Shia government to create a
confederation timetable of not longer than twelve months to achieve the following milestones: a) Consolidation of
provinces into regions. b) Election of regional officials. c) Agreement on regional oil revenue sharing. d) Reform
of De-Baathification laws. e) Recruitment of regional militias. f) Disbandment of national security forces. To
compensate for the harm done to Iraq by America's invasion, America would provide reconstruction aid and
restitution payments for deaths, injuries, and damages. Upon completion of all confederation milestones, American
forces would completely withdraw from Iraq except for a small security force in the American embassy.
9. Aren't Iraq's provinces too sectarianly mixed to confederate?
Confederation does not require sectarian separation. Under confederation, Iraq's regions would still be sectarianly
mixed though each regional government would be majority sect controlled. Iraqis could safely stay where they are
by swearing loyalty to their regional government. Iraqis who are unhappy with their regional government could
freely move to another region.
10. Under confederation, what would remain of Iraq's national government?
Iraq's constitution establishes a number of responsibilities for the national government that would continue under
confederation; including regional oil revenue sharing, protection of free trade, and conduct of foreign relations.
Since Iraq's national security forces would be disbanded under confederation to prevent their sectarian abuse, the
national government's need for security forces to defend Iraq would be satisfied through regional contributions of
militias to serve under national officers: just as was done at the beginning of America's confederation.
11. Under confederation, what would unite Iraq's regions into one nation?
Under confederation, three things would unite Iraq's regions into one nation: Oil, Water, Security. The Sunnis in
the middle of the country have no oil but can control the flow of water to the oil-rich Shia areas in the south. The
Kurds in the north have oil but their pipelines run through Sunni areas. The Shias control Iraq's only water port,
needed by all for international trade. As independent nations, Iraq's regions would face threats from one another
and from neighboring countries. As a confederation, each region would be safer and richer than each could be
alone.
12. What if Iraq's Shia government refuses to confederate?
If Iraq's Shia government refuses to confederate, then it is choosing to oppressively govern as Saddam Hussein
did in his dictatorship. Since America does not support oppression, America would announce an immediate
unilateral withdrawal. American forces would not remain in any province of Iraq because that would obstruct
future reconciliation through confederation. Asylum in the United States would be granted to Iraqis fearing
persecution for having assisted American forces. To discourage neighboring countries from interfering in Iraq
and to attack Islamic terrorists operating in Iraq, American forces would police Iraq's air space from bases in
Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
13. Doesn't America have a moral obligation to stay in Iraq and stamp out its civil war?
America invaded Iraq to end the threat from weapons of mass destruction. The threat was a bluff, which was the
fault of Saddam Hussein. America's attempt to rebuild Iraq through De-Baathification and democracy created civil
war, which America has paid for in thousands of American soldiers killed, tens of thousands wounded, and
hundreds of billions spent. By staying, America stands in the way of Iraqis confronting the full consequences of
continued civil war: a realization that's required to encourage Iraqi reconciliation through confederation.
14. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal plunge Iraq into a catastrophic civil war?
Iraq's civil war is mostly being fought in Baghdad where Sunnis are fighting Shias for control of the national
government. Without American forces for support, Iraq's national government would collapse, creating an
involuntarily confederation. Northern Kurds and southern Shias have militias and local governments to defend and
control their regions. Without a national government to revolt against, Sunnis could either fight for nothing or
seek reconciliation through confederation.
15. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal pull Iraq's neighbors into a sectarian war?
“Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” This quote by American Revolutionary War General John Stark
declares every man's demand to be free from domination. Sunni, Shia, Arab, Persian, and Kurd are sectarian
identities that Muslims fight behind when their freedoms and livelihoods are destroyed as happened in America's
invasion of Iraq. Muslims surrounding Iraq would not destroy their freedoms and livelihoods by repeating
America's mistake of invading Iraq.
16. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal threaten oil production in and around Iraq?
Iraq's oil production is lower now than before America's invasion because of Sunni insurgent attacks on oil
facilities. If civil war continues in Baghdad after America's unilateral withdrawal, oil production could still
continue in the Shia south. Since oil is the primary source of revenue for Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, they
would be discouraged from threatening their own production by interfering in Iraq.
17. Won't America's unilateral withdrawal harm its reputation and increase Islamic terrorism?
Islamic terrorism is an ideology, not a country. Just as the ideology of Communism was defeated by engagement
rather than invasion of countries, Islamic terrorism can also be defeated by engaging countries in mutually
beneficial economic and security alliances. In past wars, America freed countries from foreign invasion. In Iraq,
America is the foreign invasion. America would help its reputation by supporting Iraq's confederation, providing
reconstruction aid, paying restitution, and withdrawing.
18. Didn't the Iraq Study Group reject confederation?
In a report released by the United States Institute of Peace (www.usip.org), the Iraq Study Group rejected the
option to separate Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions. The Group's arguments against separation are similar
to arguments against confederation:
“The costs associated with devolving Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions with loose central control would be
too high. Because Iraq’s population is not neatly separated, regional boundaries cannot be easily drawn. All
eighteen Iraqi provinces have mixed populations, as do Baghdad and most other major cities in Iraq. A rapid
devolution could result in mass population movements, collapse of the Iraqi security forces, strengthening of
militias, ethnic cleansing, destabilization of neighboring states, or attempts by neighboring states to dominate
Iraqi regions. Iraqis, particularly Sunni Arabs, told us that such a division would confirm wider fears across the
Arab world that the United States invaded Iraq to weaken a strong Arab state.”
I don't agree that confederation would result in mass population movements, since most Iraqis would swear
loyalty to their regional governments in order to stay where they are and maintain their livelihoods. I do agree that
confederation would result in the strengthening of militias and collapse of the national army: precisely what is
needed to create security among the newly confederated regions. I'm not sure that confederation would result in
ethnic cleansing, defined as forcing sectarian minorities to move to other regions, but if it happens it would be
better than civil war. I don't agree that confederation would destabilize neighboring states, since confederation
would stabilize Iraq. I don't agree that neighboring states would attempt to dominate Iraqi regions, since invaders
would be met with the same resistance that American forces now face in Iraq. Finally, rather than weakening a
strong Arab state, confederation would strengthen Iraq by ending civil war.
19. Does anyone propose a plan for Iraq similar to confederation?
U.S. Senator Joseph Biden proposes a Five Point Plan for Iraq (www.planforiraq.com) that would: 1) Keep Iraq
Together Through Federalism and Local Control. 2) Secure Support from the Sunnis. 3) Enlist Help from the
Major Powers and Iraq's Neighbors. 4) Responsibly Drawdown US Troops. 5) Increase Reconstruction
Assistance and Create a Jobs Program. Among the major problems I see with Senator Biden's plan are: a) Retains
Iraq's national security forces, risking their abuse by one sect to dominate other sects. b) Leaves up to 20,000
American troops in or near Iraq, providing encouragement for Islamic terrorists. c) Deploys international
peacekeeping forces in Baghdad, continuing the foreign occupation of Iraq. d) Involves too many outside parties,
complicating its implementation.
20. How can you help end Iraq's civil war through the Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal?
Americans should contact President Bush, senators, representatives, media, columnists, and bloggers to express
support for the Iraq Confederation Peace Proposal. Iraqis should express their support for confederation to both
Iraqi and American leaders. To learn how to contact your elected and opinion leaders, see Forward the Proposal
page. To get the latest news on this proposal, see Latest News page.
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