U.S. May Act Unilaterally vs Iran-Armed Iraq Militias

Reuters via Yahoo News ^ | 11 July 2011 | Phil Stewart

[edpc]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States will take unilateral action when needed to deal with the threat to American troops in Iraq from Shi'ite militias armed by Iran, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said on Monday.

U.S. forces officially ended combat operations in Iraq last August but have come under increasing fire in recent weeks. Fourteen U.S. service members were killed in hostile incidents in June, the highest monthly toll in three years.

U.S. officials blame Shi'ite militias armed by Iraq's Shi'ite neighbor Iran for most of the recent attacks.

[edpc]

If you announce you're ending combat operations and have a significant draw down of forces, why would you be surprised when your biggest enemy in the region takes advantage of the situation?

BTW, Leon.....Iran's been doing this in Iraq/Afghanistan for years.....and around the world for decades.

[Steel Wolf]

This is as empty a threat as could be. There's no way that Obama has the stones to tangle with the Iranian-backed militias.

Even Bush treated them with kid gloves, and he had a lot stronger hand at the time. A lot of this failure stems directly from Bush's refusal to eliminate the Shia militias, but Obama's kidding himself if he thinks he can scare them into line with a vague, idle threat of retaliation.

Iran's playing this right. They're adding pressure for us to withdraw, using their militia to increase the bleeding a bit. They've got hooks deep in the Iraqi government, police and military, and they know that Obama is fully dedicated to getting out.

Sabre rattling aside, we don't have any good options at this point. Time's already on their side, and they're just getting in a few licks while the clock is running out.

[ScottinVA]

Change of subject PING

[edpc]

A lot of this failure stems directly from Bush's refusal to eliminate the Shia militias....

Yes, I agree. I was not pleased when they decided to negotiate with Muqtad al-Sadr and offer him a part in the political process. Allowing that to happen is eventually going to lead down a Lebanon-style path. They allowed Hezbollah to be part of their governing process. Look how well that's worked out for them.

Unfortunately, this admin seems to be taking the same track in Afghanistan by talking with the Taliban.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks edpc.

The United States will take unilateral action when needed to deal with the threat to American troops in Iraq from Shi'ite militias armed by Iran, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said on Monday.

Nothin' like the last shriek on the retreat.