Iran: It's So Confusing (US tells Iran it will desmantle Iraqs pro-Iranian militias)

Strategy Page ^ | March 24 2006

[jmc1969]

The current "crisis" between the U.S. and Iran has complex and deep roots. While past American "meddling" in Iranian affairs and U.S. support for the Shah's repressive regime still irk many Iranians, most of them also oppose the conservative religious regime that dominates the country.

The U.S. has told Iran that the Iraqi Shia militias being supported by Iran (the Sadr and Badr organizations) are going to get taken apart soon, and Iran is well advised to back off when this happens. Hardliners in the already hard line Iranian government, have been helping Badr, Sadr and smaller groups, in order to keep the atmosphere hostile for the United States in Iraq.

This has not been particularly popular in Iraq, because it's obvious that the Americans chased Saddam out of power, and made it possible for Shia to run the country. But to old school Iranian Islamic radicals, hating and hurting the United States is more important than anything else.

[jmc1969]

I really hope this is true.

[jmc1969]

Ping

[shineon]

I cannot believe that thses two are named Bad and Sad.

That should be proof positive right there that darwinian evolution is a crock

[shineon]

I really cannot believe that these two guys are named Bad and Sad.

This is proof positive that darwinian evolution is a fantasy

[Nathan Zachary]

The U.S. has told Iran that the Iraqi Shia militias being supported by Iran (the Sadr and Badr organizations) are going to get taken apart soon, and Iran is well advised to back off when this happens.

They should have finnished that idiot off when they had him cornered. I believe it when I see it, Now that Sadr's group is elected it's going to be much harder.

[FARS]

So sad to see the comment in this story of "the Shah's repressive regime" in a context of the article on the current Islamic Regime, which one ardent former supporter of Khomeini and the revolution now describes as: "the reign of the Shah and the freedoms and safety we had was paradise multiplied by a thousand compared to what we endure under the Mullahs".

[Marine_Uncle]

Ping.
Perhaps the beginning of the end for Sadr and Hakim.

[Marine_Uncle]

I cannot help but wonder where the Strategist picked up this little bit of news. Sure has not been blinking on this site.
I cannot help but think back about a week or two ago when the POTUS made a comment during press conference, that it may be required for a temporary increase in US troop strength in Iraq.
If this is true. Does Sadr and Hakim know about it. After all, such a thing will be a major event. It will require the will of the Iraqi Army in full.
Of course, perhaps the point has simply been reached where Sadr and Hakim must be dealt with, either having them loose credibility amoung their supporters, and or for taking them out of the political arena. Whatever.
Perhaps we shouldn't even be talking about this as of yet, until it is underway. If this really is news that simply has not come forth, has Stratergist in effect broken security operation rules.

[SevenMinusOne]

They should have finnished that idiot off when they had him cornered. I believe it when I see it, Now that Sadr's group is elected it's going to be much harder.

Trust me the Civ HQ's (and more importantly) Mil HQ's on the ground in Iraq know much better then you what was needed regarding al-Sadr and how to best deal with him.

Sadr in all reality is nothing more then a street thug or at best the Jesse Jackson of Iraqi Gov't.

Who yes supports Iran and Iran supports him...but he has been completely marginalized in all reality (within Iraq).

Sadr for the most part has been determined to be more of a political problem then a military one (this thought process by both the military and Civ HQ's within Iraq...those on the ground.).

Thus as a political problem (marginalized problem) it seems appropriate to allow the new Iraqi Gov't to deal with. That time is now approaching.

Furthermore if we would have simply whacked Sadr....The Iranians would certainly have just move their bet onto a new horse, and this new horse could very likely be a person with much more personal appeal than Sadr.

As another U.S. soldier here on FR (who has worked within Iraq) put it...Thug Sadr is after all only a jihad school dropout and not a big-shot mullah, let alone an ayatollah......like Sistani for example. Sadr is a person who holds very little water among the vast majority of the Iraqi people. And has only further isolated those that share his views.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping, looks promising.

[Dog]

Google the owner of Strategy Page...James Dunnigan...he is connected.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Google the owner of Strategy Page...James Dunnigan...he is connected."
Well I hope he is not hualed off in leg irons if he broke SECOPS proceedures. Of course, in todays world, anyone can say anything and get away with it. This little tidbit has such enormous ramifications as you are well are aware. That is why I hesitate to start yammering away.

[Dog]

Sadr knows we are going to come for him and his ragtag bunch ot street thugs...so this wasn't telling him something he didn't already know.

Sadr is the dance we postponed....it won't be called off again.

Sadr and the Badr brigade must be dealt with before we deal with Iran on the nuke issue....we can't leave a force in our rear if the ballon goes up with Iran.

[Marine_Uncle]

My sentiments. And as you said elsewhere in this post, Sadr is not as well connected outside his slums as some may believe. Sure he can send goons squads up north for instance, but that is not indicative of him representing a huge Shia population outside of Sadr city. He is a common thug who pretended for a long time to be a cleric. And I fully agree, both he and Hakim have to be muzzled in very soon. And surely our military have been working out the details as to when things will start happening. For a long a long time I might add. Fatso must not be sleeping very well these days. And Hakim may end up retreating into seclusion within the body of clergy and call it a day.
Then the horse trading will take on a slightly different composure. With the SCIRI,NIC,Elites Party, and larger UIA receiving this blow to their perceived dominance, things could take on a whole different appearance in the political arena. After all the Shia parties only stall because of their perceived power in these two militia. If the militia are disbanded or destroyed. Then it is a whole new ball game. But I say nothing you are not acutely aware of.