United Press International: Analysis: The Washington battlefield Analysis: The Washington battlefield
By Eli J. Lake
UPI State Department Correspondent
From the International Desk
Published 5/3/2003 7:21 PM
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WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- The second battleground of the Iraq war is Washington where the conflict sparked a succession of factional power struggles. Depending on their preference, history buffs could draw comparisons with the Renaissance Florence or 18th century Philadelphia.
In Florence power swung between Guelfs and Ghibellines -- the two main parties controlled by the richest families -- according to who won the latest vicious plot or battle. In 18th century Philadelphia, political infighting sometimes led to duels between prominent politicians, often to the death as in the case of Aaron Burr's shooting of Alexander Hamilton.
Drastic resolutions of political differences have not totally gone out of style. In 20th century Syria -- to mention one example -- the leader in power throws one side into jail, never to be heard from again, and then goes about the business of governing without the inconvenience of such messy dissent.
In 21st century Washington, promising careers are crushed, reputations die, but not people, They stay alive to fight the next battle, and to sabotage one another.
Take the recent flap over who will be top honcho in the running and reconstruction of newly liberated Iraq.
According to the State Department, the new boss will be Paul Bremer, a former chief of the State Department's Counter-Terrorism Bureau. According to the Pentagon, however, the man in charge is still former Lt. Gen. Jay Garner.
On his flight to Damascus, Secretary of State Colin Powell would not comment on the stories about Bremer. But coincidentally also in a plane returning from Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld lavished praise on the work Garner was doing, but did not mention Bremer.
News of Bremer's appointment was first leaked late last week. The resulting flap is the latest skirmish in the ongoing battle inside the National Security Council where the Pentagon's civilian leaders have foughtt tooth and nail for control over everything from which Iraqis get invited to town hall meetings (and which do not), to the broadcasters the U.S. government plans to hire for Iraq's new state run media. Both sides routinely accuse the other of supporting ex-Baathists.
By Eli J. Lake
UPI State Department Correspondent
From the International Desk
Published 5/3/2003 7:21 PM
View printer-friendly version
WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- The second battleground of the Iraq war is Washington where the conflict sparked a succession of factional power struggles. Depending on their preference, history buffs could draw comparisons with the Renaissance Florence or 18th century Philadelphia.
In Florence power swung between Guelfs and Ghibellines -- the two main parties controlled by the richest families -- according to who won the latest vicious plot or battle. In 18th century Philadelphia, political infighting sometimes led to duels between prominent politicians, often to the death as in the case of Aaron Burr's shooting of Alexander Hamilton.
Drastic resolutions of political differences have not totally gone out of style. In 20th century Syria -- to mention one example -- the leader in power throws one side into jail, never to be heard from again, and then goes about the business of governing without the inconvenience of such messy dissent.
In 21st century Washington, promising careers are crushed, reputations die, but not people, They stay alive to fight the next battle, and to sabotage one another.
Take the recent flap over who will be top honcho in the running and reconstruction of newly liberated Iraq.
According to the State Department, the new boss will be Paul Bremer, a former chief of the State Department's Counter-Terrorism Bureau. According to the Pentagon, however, the man in charge is still former Lt. Gen. Jay Garner.
On his flight to Damascus, Secretary of State Colin Powell would not comment on the stories about Bremer. But coincidentally also in a plane returning from Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld lavished praise on the work Garner was doing, but did not mention Bremer.
News of Bremer's appointment was first leaked late last week. The resulting flap is the latest skirmish in the ongoing battle inside the National Security Council where the Pentagon's civilian leaders have foughtt tooth and nail for control over everything from which Iraqis get invited to town hall meetings (and which do not), to the broadcasters the U.S. government plans to hire for Iraq's new state run media. Both sides routinely accuse the other of supporting ex-Baathists.
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