Security and Governance, Iraq edition

In a recent post, I noted how witnessing a bribe at an army checkpoint in Afghanistan made clear to me the link between corruption and insecurity.  Recent events in Iraq make the point even evident.  According to the AP,

…attackers paid $10,000 to a facilitator who knew the Iraqi security forces manning the checkpoints on the roads…to the Finance Ministry.

The attackers detonated two truck bombs.  The bombs severely damaged the Finance and Foreign Ministries, killed at least 100 people, and wounded between 500 and 1000.  One need not be a genius to understand that a government will have a difficult time providing security when soldiers are accepting bribes from terrorists.