Tricky

It should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has assured the Iranian government that Iraq will not allow any part of its territory to be used as a staging area for any military strike against Iran. Maliki, who is visiting Tehran, discussed the issue with Iran’s Foreign Minister and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran’s primary concern is, of course, the current negotiations occurring between the United States and the Iraqi government with regards to the future of US forces in Iraq. As it stands now, the United States is pushing for the existence, or continued existence, of permanently garrisoned military facilities (even though that has been a US objective from day one), the ability to conduct military operations without requiring authorization from the Iraqi government, and, of course, continued immunity for all American personnel, be they in the military or private contractors, from Iraqi law. In effect, the United States, through its current occupational position, is intent on limiting Iraqi sovereignty. In truth, accord or not, they will most likely do whatever they please no matter Iraqi objections. That, of course, will only lead to the growth of anti-occupational sentiment amongst Iraqi’s Shi’ite majority and help bolster the political influence of Muqtada al-Sadr and others.

The reality is, like it or not, that Iran and Iraq must, in the future, enjoy stable relations. It is, in fact, quintessential for Iraqi economic development and security. But as long as Iraq remains a nation occupied by a military force that is ultimately commanded by a man that views Iran as a threat and does nothing to curtail Israeli threats of military action, then Iraq will remain a nation in turmoil. The only option available the Bush Administration at this late hour is to strike Iran, or support an operation to covertly remove its government, in hopes of installing a friendly regime that would create a pro-Western Iraqi-Iranian axis. The nuclear question, of course, ties into this, as it provides context with which to view the Iranians as a threat. Thus, it has been made the primary issue with regards to confronting Iran.