With a harsh dispute between Iraq’s Defense Ministry and the Pentagon over the Mosul offensive, the Iraqi military decided to go with an invasion of Tikrit without any US involvement, and without any consultation with the US.
It’s one of the biggest offensives yet against ISIS-held territory, but Iraq isn’t going it alone. Rather, it seems, Iran is taking a key role in the offensive, with artillery on the ground and Shi’ite militias that are close to the Iranian government leading the charge.
The key militia in this case is the Badr Brigade, formerly led by Iraq’s ex-PM Nouri al-Maliki, and which retains huge influence in the Iraqi government to this day. Historically, the Badr Brigade has been tightly allied with Iran as well.
And so, as this major offensive begins, the US is on the outside looking in, leaving the Pentagon complaining that Iran is usurping their role as leader of the anti-ISIS war. Given the acrimony over the Mosul fiasco in recent weeks, if the Tikrit offensive goes well Iraq may find Iran a preferable ally.
Good. As Paul says, let them take care of their problems. Maybe Iraq will become sovereign after all.
Anything that saves American BLOOD and TREASURE is good? Isn't it?
This seems calculated and approved by the US, not really any "harsh dispute". There's a risk it will fail and now Iran/Iraq can safely be blamed. Obama right now cannot afford another fiasco there. Whatever happens at the battle field, I'm sure it will be spun as some kind of victory by the various politicians in Iraq and Iran.
The "nuclear" talks between US and Iran are also driven by the need to clear the path to this increasing of cooperation in the future. Iraq cannot take care without a strong regional partnership and that will be with Iran. It's a natural thing and it's time for the world to start accepting it. But politically (read Israel, US congress and other Zionist territories) it's only possible after that "historical deal" as Israel will not accept an Iraq-Iran axis (as they would also not accept Syria back in that game, that's why it's left "as it is" for now). Yes, it's Israel, Israel and Israel in the end, what else is new?
GO IRAN !! If the US isn't prepared to get its hands dirty again, step aside and let someone else step up. First Jordan takes the fight to ISIS and now Iran is taking care of business in a big way. Too bad we're going to be left out and find ourselves in the doghouse for not doing enough fast enough- if the Iranians do well, it will be an eloquent illustration that Muslim armies can and will fight- and fight well- when their hands aren't tied.
Cowert US support for ISIS will begin….Military Ind. Complex is happy, US will have justification: Iran!!!!! And "wild card" in this dirty game Israels régime….nobody knows what is going to happened in near future.
Lets only hope people in ME will soon unite and recognice US as main sponsor of their missery and drive out US and Israels warmongers soon and forever…..Pedro CR
Isn't it already taking place!?
There have been stores of british and American-labeled aircraft forced down, filled with weapons and destined for ISIL territory
Power begets a lust for power — Fear Empire USA should all the world
Any outcome that will slow down USA expansion, this we should all hope for as a world as a world enslaved by the dominance of a gigantic Empire would surely expire in a convulsion.
For since the beginning of civilization, the laboring-class lower half has been kept deliberately locked in poverty, it being the greatest tool of slavery known to man. A situation that democracy has only made worse, what with the upper half being the voting majority and always voting to hoard all the wealth.
But, should such a miserable form of slavery be imposed by a worldwide Empire, all hope of ever gaining freedom would terminate and all submission to government would come to a screeching hault, worldwide anarchy would ensue and it would be every man for himself.
Then, the laboring-class lower half would be exterminated by a genocide.
Then, as no one willingly endures the misery of manual labor drudgery, the middle-class would have to be enslaved.
Why would Washington fight it’s own baby (deliberate or not) ? It’s not like it (or rather, it’s ally) wants a stable&strong Iraq.
Iran will clean up, because they want to.
The US tells us they want to clean up, they bomb and bomb and bomb, but always seem to be a day late and a dollar short. Maybe they have other plans for ISIS? http://blogs.rediff.com/mkbhadrakumar/2015/03/03/…