UNLESS there is a dramatic improvement in the situation, of which there is little possibility, Iraq may go Syria’s way — or worse. Unlike Iraq, no Syrian territory is secession-prone. There is a small Kurdish minority, but it is not concentrated in a border region as it is in northern Iraq on the Turkish border. That’s why, despite 33 months of fighting, which has resulted in 130,000 fatalities, Syria still exists. In Iraq, post-America democracy has failed to work, despite two general elections and a third around the corner. Nouri al-Maliki, prime minister since 2006, wants a third term, but there is nothing to his credit, for he has failed to give his country what is every government’s first duty — peace. Friday gave another indication of Iraq’s precarious situation when some 100 people were killed in clashes between security forces and Al Qaeda-linked militants in the Ramadi and Fallujah areas. Violence began on Monday after Mr Maliki ordered the security forces to break up camps set up by Sunni protesters, saying they had turned into Al Qaeda’s headquarters. It is an indication of the militants’ strength that immediately after the government forces left, the jihadis moved in, attacked police stations and were in control of the area, prompting the government to act again.

On the rise in the heart of the Middle East is the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. It is now operating in both countries, and along with Jabhat al-Nusra is the strongest military force in Syria. In Iraq, the Maliki government’s centralised policies have provoked a reaction even from Shia-majority provinces. The provinces complain they are not given their share of oil revenues in violation of the constitution. Many provinces also envy the autonomy enjoyed by oil-rich Kurdistan and seek similar status. A solution needs a political approach, but Mr Maliki has yet to prove he can rise to the occasion. The result is Iraq’s frightening slide into anarchy. Unfortunately, there are no personalities or organisations that could prevail upon all parties in Iraq and Syria to abjure violence and go for a political solution, for both the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation are little better than debating forums.