I wished I shared his confidence in Sadr's Populism. I remember when his Militia opposed the US in Iraq.
Iranian Influence in Iraq has grown a lot. Especially when Obama pulled all of our troops out just prior to the buildup of ISIS.
After Sadr won the election, it is still unsure of what coalition of groups will run the nation. And who they will ally with.
So, Brett McGurk (US State Dept) and Iranian Gen. Soleimani (Quds Commander who basically ran the anti ISIS forces in Iraq) are both in Iraq now.
Fine. Bring all our troops home and no more military or financial aid then.
Ron Paul was right again.
IIRC, Sadr is a butcher.
Hope he goes to war with Turkey.
LOTS of popcorn...
A couple of things....first al-Sadr himself didn’t run for any office, members of his party won the most seats and get to form a coalition government. Al-Sadr is a force to be reckoned with but he won’t be the next Iraqi president.
Second, al-Sadr is not friendly with either the mullahs in Iran or their Shiite proxies in Iraq. He’s a nationalist wild card. This might actually be a good thing for those concerned about Iran’s expanding influence.
Of course al-Sadr is no Western puppet either, something that will make the western interventionists unhappy. Sounds like the people of Iraq want to chart their own course.
What exactly were the last words Saddam Hussein ever heard?
Sadr is a populist. The name Sadr is beloved by the poor Shia, because of his saintly father, brutally tortured and murdered by Saddam’s regime.
This Sadr was thrust into prominence because of his family history. Many have said that he was forced in over his head, beyond his capabilities at the time. He was dependent on Iran, and often bullied by Iran, but he did participate in/lead lots of bloody attacks on Americans. Lots.
But he is Iraqi, not Iranian; and he is Arab, not Persian. These seem to be a big thing to him, and this Nationalistic opposition to foreign influence in general is popular with his base. He is growing older and more experienced. He might like to be free of Iranian overlordship.
There is actually quite a bit of Iraqi patriotism and suspicion of Iranian motives among Iraqi Shi’ites. Mixed feelings, as they are grateful for support under Saddam, and feel religious fraternity. They just know the regime enough to be wary of them.
Another tidbit from the article, Turkey was a loser:
“Turkey has no role. Sunni political parties that were backed by Turkey were destroyed after ISIS. It’s difficult for them to play any big role in Iraqi politics for the next coming four years,”
Sadr is still sucking O2.
I’m impressed.
5.56mm
May he and the Sadr army remember the boots that kicked their teeth in.
From my lips to Jehovah’s ears.
Eagles Up!
China’s view (yeah, I’m the only one who thinks China matters in M.E.)
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/16/c_137184232.htm
Figured this is why we didn’t kill him. Hope it turns out for the best.
Sadr is against Israel, the United States and Iran …Sure he’s against Iran. So against them that he took refuge there a decade ago. And now Iranian general Suleimani is in Baghdad helping him get his new government going.