Maliki’s men’s club

As Reidar Visser says, Iraqiyya (Iyad Allawi’s coalition) did better than expected in today’s division of the second Maliki government ministries, but of course he bemoans the size and all too obvious divvying up of the ministries according to political affiliation rather than competence.  I am less concerned about that, because governments in a democratic system had better reflect political weight and also because some manifestly competent people are entering the government:  Salih Mutlaq (deputy prime minister), Rafi Eisawi (finance), Muhammed Allawi (communications) are the ones I know best.

The fact that the sectarian-based ISCI (the Islamic Supreme Council in Iraq) and Moqtada al Sadr’s people did relatively poorly might also bode well, if not for the possibility that they will be compensated with positions in the all-important national security structure, where no permanent ministers were named today. It would be best to withhold final judgment until the ministers of defense, interior, the state secretary for national security and others are announced.  The picture may then look different.

The lack of women in the cabinet Reidar suggests is not something to worry about, as there will be many in parliament who will eventually rise to more important roles commensurate with their contributions.  I’m surprised a Norwegian can still say such things.

Let’s be clear:  there are many competent women in Iraq, certainly more competent than some of the hacks appointed and approved today (no, I’m not going to name names).  The lack of women in the cabinet is a reflection of their marginalization in Iraqi politics, which is largely a late-night men’s club.  Breaking the glass ceiling is no less important in Iraq than in the U.S. or Norway:  it would make a real difference to more than half the population, which suffers the many indignities of all too frequent sexual violence, widowhood and poverty.  Maliki would do well to name one or more women to the national security ministries, thus ensuring himself a place in the annals of Iraqi history (and a lot of votes in the next election).

The Kurds held on to the Foreign Ministry today, with Hoshyar Zebari continuing in a national role he has played well.  Tariq al Hashemi and Adel Abdul Mehdi got nothing and will presumably try to hold on to their “vice presidencies,” which have lost any semblance of power under the constitution, as has the presidency. Allawi is presumably slated for the chairmanship of the still to be created National Council for Security Policy, or whatever they will call it.

Overall, it seems to me that this government is leaning in the direction of marginally more competence, less sectarianism and more Iraqi nationalism, with some obvious individual exceptions.  Not a bad reflection of the spirit of the election results, despite the lack of women and minorities.  Hats off to Maliki, if he continues in the same overall direction in naming people to the remaining empty slots, and adds some women and minorities to boot.