"A democratic Iraq will endure and prevail"

"I believe that even though the threats are serious, a democratic Iraq will endure and prevail.

The main reason for my optimism is that most Iraqis have learned the lesson the hard way.

Sunni Arabs discovered that resisting democracy and taking the path of extremism put them on the losing side. Despite a recent government crackdown on some leaders of the Sunni Arab Awakening Councils (also known as Sons of Iraq) the co-operation between these groups with the US forces and central Government in fighting al-Qa'ida terrorists continues.

The Shia population voiced its rejection of the rule of militias and hardline religious parties loud and clear. The provincial elections earlier this year showed beyond doubt that a great majority of the Shia population wants a moderate Muslim government, not an extreme Islamist one that imposes its vision through intimidation and violence."

--Omar Fadhil Al-Nidawi, of Iraq the Model