The situation in Iraq is looking increasingly like the one that prevailed in Lebanon during its prolonged civil war. Insurgent violence -- which subsided temporarily after the birth of a transitional government in late April -- has again increased in recent days. As fighting has intensified between U.S.-British forces and militants, suicide bombings have escalated, killing hundreds of civilians.
The political equation in Iraq remains dangerously unstable. The new government, represented mainly by Shiites and Kurds who suffered under Saddam Hussein, has yet to embrace the Sunni minority, which dominated the country during his regime. Unable, or unwilling, to participate in the political process, insurgents have attacked American and British forces in an attempt to discredit the Shiite-led administration of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari.
For the Iraqi government to function, the insurgency -- the main source of insecurity -- must be eliminated. That goal, however, still seems distant amid seemingly endless fighting, which has caused heavy casualties on both sides.