The Mini Economic Boom in Iraq That Is Hardly Reported

Amir Taheri, Arab News has a great article-

UM QASAR, Iraq — While the American political elite are using Iraq as an excuse for fighting internal political wars, a different reality is taking shape in parts of this war-torn nation. Wherever some measure of security is assured, that is to say in more than 80 percent of Iraq, towns and villages long left to die a slow death are creeping back to life.

Nowhere is this slow but steady return to life more startling than in Um Qasar, in the southeast extremity of Iraq on the Gulf. Four years ago, this was a jumble of rusting quays, abandoned houses, gutted buildings, and a wall of mud erected by an ever-receding sea. By the spring of 2003, Um Qasar’s population had dwindled to a few dozen, along with hundreds of stray dogs. There was even talk of abandoning it altogether....go read the rest here....