Shot by Both Sides:How Iran is Outsmarting Us In Iraq.

Slate ^ | April 22, 2008 | Fred Kaplan

[freerepublic_or_die]

Which is it: Are the Iranians extraordinarily clever, or are we extraordinarily dim? Certainly, when it comes to pursuing our respective interests in Iraq, they seem to be thinking and acting strategically, while we seem not to be.

A fascinating story in the April 21 New York Times by James Glanz and Alissa J. Rubin reveals that in the battle for Basra—the major port city of southern Iraq—the United States and Iran are on the same side. Yet the Bush administration is doing nothing to gain leverage from this convergence.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki launched his troop offensive in Basra province last month in an attempt to crush the militia of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr. President George W. Bush—who backed Maliki's move, first with air power, then with armor and special-operations forces—described Sadr's militia men as Iranian-backed thugs.

He might have been right about "thugs," though several analysts (including this one) noted at the time that the rival Shiite militia backing Maliki—known as the Badr Organization, whose men fought alongside the Iraqi army—had ties to Iran as well.

It is now clear that the Badr Organization's ties to Iran are not merely as close as Sadr's; they are much closer. In fact, as the Times reports, Iran's ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi Qumi, expressed full support for Maliki's offensive in Basra and denounced Sadr's fighters as "outlaws."

It is reasonable to ask what the hell is going on here. President Bush assisted Maliki's offensive as a campaign against Iranian-backed extremists. Now it turns out the Iranians are backing Maliki.

[freerepublic_or_die]

The Iranians are a wily, crafty bunch, a motley crew the likes of which haven't been seen since the days of Blackbeard and his ilk. They have managed to pull off one geopolitical victory after another, leveraging themselves beyond their status as regional power, gaining a reputation as one not to be trifled with. Nuclear capability is going to embolden them like never before. Unless something is done to remove them from power a crisis of unthinkable proportions is the price we will all have to pay.

[stuartcr]

Makes one wonder if they really want western style democracy...

[weezel]

The iranians have an advantage on loyal Americans. They have allies running the US congress.

[DGHoodini]

Yet another smarmy lying Death Cult LibPerv with Death Camp Victim Envy...Doong the best it can, to cause the defeat of The United States of America, in any and every way the evil little National Socialist paper hanger can.

[Tut]

It is now clear that the Badr Organization's ties to Iran are not merely as close as Sadr's; they are much closer. In fact, as the Times reports, Iran's ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi Qumi, expressed full support for Maliki's offensive in Basra and denounced Sadr's fighters as "outlaws."

Yea.... the guys they trained getting their collective butts kicked and massive amount of arms they're sending into Iraq is getting into the hands of the U.S. military must be all a part of the Iranians great plan.

Or...... Iran wants to save face and pretend innocent of their actions.

[agere_contra]

What you said. The Iranians were totally in the tank for Sadr while he was not being beaten up on.

Now the Iraqi army is at the state where it can destroy Sadr and the Iranians have seen the writing on the wall. And it turns out that oh yes, they were behind Maliki all the time.

On this subject, it was controversial - especially on FR - for the Coalition to wait for the Iraqi army to be ready before taking out Sadr, but I can see some wisdom in it. Sadr is a beatable enemy for the reformed Army - you can’t buy training like that.

[Camel Joe]

Well stated.

[lonestar67]

It is getting desperately difficult for the Left to rationalize the “we’re losing Meme.” This is taking the case pretty far.

Now, Al Sadr is the master anti-Iranian politician and Maliki is the Iranian insider.

Wow!

What a fascinating sleight of hand. — sorry not falling for it.

Al Sadr— the Iranian puppet is getting crushed by coalition forces— including the Iraqi national army.

The reason Al Sadr spent so much time in Iran was to confirm his game plan and connection to Iran.

His militias are falling apart and being decimated by the Coalition strategy. Basra is no longer controlled by Sadr militias and Sadr city is on its way down.

The good guys are winning. There is no place to move the goal posts to change this decisive outcome.