U.S.empowers Iran

It's America's fault that Iran is so emboldened, especially when it comes to Iran's nuclear program, the American hostages and Iran's involvement in Iraq. They do what they want, because we have given them the power to do so by meeting with them. We are now involved in a second round of talks with Iran. American Ambassador Ryan Crocker told the Iranians that "the US wants Tehran to play a positive role in Iraq." With strong talk like that, why should Iran back down. We should be telling them to get the heck out or else.

One problem the U.S. is encountering is the leadership in Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki doesn't seem concerned about Iran's 'meddling' in Iraq, pointing out the growing economic ties between Iran and Iraq. It's all part of the "friendship treaty" signed between Iraq and Iran. One perk, Iran gave "Maliki an Airbus 300 jetliner to use for government business." Iraq's President Jalal Talibani said, "" ... he was happy with Iran's position and called it positive …"

Such Iran-Iraq links are not only bolstered by common beliefs binding Shiite leaders but also, some experts say, by a US strategy to arm and support former Sunni insurgents – many of whom consider Shiites bitter foes – in the fight against Al Qaeda.

All of this puts Iran in a much stronger position in any future talks with the Americans, analysts say.

"The Iranians are running the ship in Iraq, not the Americans. They also have [many] more chips on the table in Iraq than the US," says Riad Kahwaji, who heads the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. "The situation in Iraq is strategically more in favor of the Iranians than the Americans."

Trade between Iran and Iraq over the past year amounts to almost $1 billion, says Iraqi Finance Minister Byan Jabr al-Zubaidi. Trade between Iran and Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region accounts for half of that.

Mr. Zubaidi adds that Iran just finalized a $1 billion loan deal with Iraq tied to specific investments. And he expects business ties to grow once Iraq passes a law regulating direct foreign investments. Christian Science Monitor

If you want to really know what's going on in Iraq, visit the Victory Caucus or Michael Yon Online, or BlackFive, or The Mudville Gazette, or The Fourth Rail.

Sectarian violence is down approximately 2/3 from what it was in December 2006. Weapons caches found and destroyed are up approximately 2/3. Iraqis have taken over 7 out of 18 provinces. All this, with no thanks to Iran or China.

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Comments

[incognito]

I think the whole world is empowering and enabling Iran, not just the U.S. And one of the worst offenders is that useless organization the U.N.

[Freedom Now]

The problem isnt in meeting with Iran, we have plenty to leverage over them to squeeze concessions.

The problem is in those who demand that we negotiate with a country that is acting in bad faith. It weakens our hand when the Iranians know that there is internal pressure to negotiate.

When negotiating with a bitter enemy you can be sure that they will not be negotiating in good faith. They will be at the table solely to pry concessions out of us and do not have our best interests at heart. Therefore we need to deal with them from a position of strength.

This is something that the Democrats are determined not to allow us to enjoy. They do not want Iraq to succeed under President Bush. So they will intentionally weaken our bargaining position unless our President accepts their withdrawal plans.

Anyways, it is human nature. People negotiate only for personal gain. If they feel that they are in a position of strength they will not give out many concessions, but if they believe that they have exhausted their options they will be more generous.

The Iranians already have a preferred method of negotiating. See how they kidnapped those British sailors from Iraqi waters. And see how they have arrested three Americans that were visiting Iran. The love the ISG report!!!!!!!

[Debbie]

Rastaman, I live to serve, ha. Glad I could inspire you. Looking forward to your unique take on things.

[Rastaman]

Here I was, wondering what to post about for today and then I read yours. I got so deep into a response that I realized I had todays post.

All those talks are nothing but smoke and mirrors. It's that nebulous, hazy mirage that the MSM keeps reporting on as if it were real. It's only a movie and they should all be writing for tabloids.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Rasta