Michael E. O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a policy research center, said the casualty statistics not only showed the overall strength of the insurgency, but also reflected the increase in sectarian violence and the decision over the summer by the Americans and the Iraqi government to confront killings by both organized militias and renegade insurgents.
Her policy decisions entrenched sectarian divisions, handed draconian military powers over to the securocrats, and subverted basic human rights.
Religious leaders were quick to weigh in, with some expressing their dismay at a decision which allowed sectarian prayer in a public forum.
Political commentator and comedian John Fugelsang pointed out a logical consequence of the Supreme Court's decision to uphold sectarian prayer in Greece v. Galloway on MSNBC's The Ed Show.
Now each group is represented directly in the Knesset, with national decisions subordinated to sectarian interests.' This time there is a party to suit every taste: two pensioners' parties, a marijuana party, assorted greens and a variety of regional groupings.
Command positions became increasingly prone to decisions taken on sectarian or family lines.
Iraq's parliament was meant to hold an extraordinary session on Thursday to vote on declaring a state of emergency, but failed to reach a quorum, a sign of the sectarian political dysfunction that has paralyzed decision-making in Baghdad.
"It is abundantly clear from this decision that if there is any sectarian singing at future matches the suspended bans will take effect.
The center unfortunately is where leaders have often hidden their sectarian beliefs in what they claim are practical, value-free decisions.
Proper referral pathways may be disrupted or blocked by political and military barriers (as in Palestine), by geographical, financial, and transportation obstacles (as in the CAR), by financial incentives distorting clinical decisions (as in the DR Congo), by violence, sectarian or ethnic mistrust.
