JUAN COLE: Steps Toward Peace in Iraq Date: October 26, 2007 The Forum;
Length: 1 hr. 46 min.
This lecture by Mid-East scholar Juan Cole explores processes for
establishing a peaceful Iraq — although Cole doesn't mince words in his
recent Nation article: “There is no plan that can guarantee
peace in the region.” He argues that a U.S. withdrawal could lead in
the right direction if a highly calculated series of conditions are met
and Sunnis can be brought back to the negotiating table. Such
conditions include American diplomacy toward Iran and Syria; Saudi
leadership on behalf of Sunni Iraqis; a newly elected Sunni Arab
political class; a six-plus-two meeting in which Mid-East foreign
ministers assume crucial leadership roles; and the presence of a UN
Peacekeeping force. Cole's writings have been published in the Washington Post, The Guardian,
and Salon.com. As a commentator, he can often be heard on such news
shows as “Democracy Now!” Al Jazeera, “Lehrer News Hour,” and “CNN
Headline News.” He is a professor of Modern Middle East History at the
University of Michigan, and author of the popular weblog “Informed
Comment.”
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