Khazraji Cock-Up

For months, General Nizar Khazraji was the odds-on favorite to be crowned regent of Iraq after American forces depose its present regime. That plan hit a snag this week when Danish police arrested Khazraji for gassing thousands of Kurds during the Iran-Iraq War; he is charged with war crimes, with human rights abuses, and, in general, with acting like Saddam Hussein. Khazraji insists that Baghdad set him up, but this variation on the Marion Barry defense seems unlikely to restore his chances of succeeding Saddam.

It's a sorry day when your chosen alternative to this year's officially designated Hitler is suddenly on track to become this year's officially designated Eichmann. Then again, who said U.S. foreign policy had to be consistent? Just because you've made propaganda hay of Iraq's oppression of the Kurds doesn't mean you can't turn around and make common cause with a leading Kurd-oppressor a day later. Already, the U.S. is quietly seeking Iran's assistance in the war against Iraq, just as it sought and received Russian support for its ongoing operation in Afghanistan. Two decades ago, two American priorities in the region were backing Iraq against Iran and the Afghans against the Soviets, but that was back when Saddam and the Islamists who would one day create Al Qaeda were American allies. Times, like regimes, can always change.

It just helps to have a short memory.