Iraq faces test on way to self-governance
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"If there is no Iraqi government formed, then everything is kind of on hold so there's no planning, there's no looking forward, there's no being able to decide on what's on the agenda, no milestones in place," DeGennaro said.
And that is exactly what is being taken advantage of now, she said.
With leadership essentially up for grabs, militia groups have used the scenario for their own personal gains.
The wave has also changed for hundreds of members of the U.S.- backed Awakening Council who have left their positions or been dismissed, according to the New York Times on Saturday.
Also known as the Sons Of Iraq, members were Sunni insurgents and tribal leaders who had turned against al-Qaeda.
Formed in 2006, the Awakening Councils was one of the drivers to defeat the insurgency, which also largely contributed to a fall in violence.
As of July, U.S. officials estimated there were 94,000 Sunnis in Awakening groups.
Recently, members are increasingly being recruited by an " intensive recruitment campaign" from the Sunni insurgency and rejoining al-Qaeda as uncertainty bred from the March elections -- leaving members disenchanted with what is left for Sunni political influence, reported The Times.
With control and power throttling on the ground, the vulnerability of the region has significantly risen with insurgents looking to stir the vacuum.
Talk stirs up
In recent weeks, leaders from the political blocs have been working to secure backing to cement the government with efforts for alliances being stepped up, particularly for allies with neighboring countries.
Fighting for his job, al-Maliki is pushing hard for regional support and has visited Syria and Jordan.
On Monday, al-Maliki visited Iran and received Tehran's backing for his second term. The backing, no doubt, has stirred the kettle with U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary P.J. Crowley citing concerns on the same day over Iran's long-standing " meddling in Iraq's affairs."
But amidst talk and alliances, many warn the road is still thorny as the political blocs have to be willing to make concessions. With power-sharing though, it will be hard to untangle with rivalries al-Maliki and Allawi.
"I don't think it's going to happen overnight, it's going to take a long time," DeGennaro told Xinhua. "I do feel that (Iraqis) have had a foundation and as soon as they reconnect to the foundation, you will see a movement."
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