In an interview with Weekly Pulse Senator Prof Khurshid Ahmad, chairman Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad in his response to questions regarding post-Bush US Iraq policy, initiatives like “Anbar Awakening”, the Iraqi local elections, the Iran-Iraq security pact, Iraq-US talks for a security pact, neoconservatives ‘overreach’, failure of US “Benevolent Hegemony”, framework for troops withdrawal, sectarian cleavages and external factors in Iraq and the concept of ‘transformational democracy’, has this to say:

“The US invasion of Iraq was a part of the US strategy of global hegemony and redrawing the political map of the Arab/Muslim World. It had nothing to do with the so-called ‘American war on terror’. 
      
The ‘war on terror’ is in itself illegitimate and immoral. But its extension to Iraq was an act of aggression and clear violation of the UN Charter and all norms of International Law and Justice. America is guilty of a war of aggression in Iraq, a war in which over 100,000 people have been killed including over 4,000 US soldiers. Over four million people have been displaced within the country or have migrated to other countries in the region. And most unfortunately, it has thrown the country into the fires of sectarian warfare, ethnic conflict and political destabilisation. The Bush Administration is guilty of a crime against humanity. The neo-cones have provided intellectual justification for these policies and actions that lack all legitimacy.
      
The so-called Iraq-US understanding is only a farcical ploy, a cloak for the continuation of a US colonial, exploitative and hegemonic regime. The people of Iraq are engaged in a heroic struggle against foreign occupation. It is sad that it has also developed the contours of a civil war. Those who are fighting foreign aggression have also to fight those of their own kith and kin who are collaborating with these colonial warlords. There is no truth in the talk about “transformation of democracy” because all these arrangements are cobwebs to protect the US interests in the region. They have nothing to do with promotion of democracy, protection of human rights and establishment of civilized rule.
      
America has no other option but to withdraw its troops and the sooner it is done the better. In my view, the concern about civil war in Iraq is overblown. I am sure, once it is clear that the US is now withdrawing, Iraqi people have the capacity to reconcile their differences and work out a political arrangement that would enable Iraq to grow and prosper as one country. This is in the best interests of the people of Iraq. If they are given a fair chance, I have no doubt, they will find out a solution through national reconciliation and acceptance of each other ensuring justice and fair play for all the major stake-holders in the country.”