My memory nags me about the name Michael Gordon. I haven't read his credentials, but, I thought there was a Michael Gordon that was a consistent correspondent during the Iraq War.
June 25, 2014
By Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt
Brussels — Iran is directing surveillance drones (click here) over Iraq from an airfield in Baghdad and is secretly supplying Iraq with tons of military equipment, supplies and other assistance, American officials said. Tehran has also deployed an intelligence unit there to intercept communications, the officials said.The secret Iranian programs are part of a broader effort by Tehran to gather intelligence and help Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s government in its struggle against Sunni militants with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria....
There is absolutely no indication Iran will do anything except provide defense measures for the Iraqi people. Iran has not proven to be an aggressor nation so much as a nation in defense of it's people. I really haven't noticed any other ambitions. So, if Iraq likes and trusts the government of Iran there is no reason to inhibit the help being provided in defense of people who have known fear, war and death for too many decades.
By: Sameer N. Yacoub
The Associated Press
Published on Wed Jun 25 2014
By Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt
Brussels — Iran is directing surveillance drones (click here) over Iraq from an airfield in Baghdad and is secretly supplying Iraq with tons of military equipment, supplies and other assistance, American officials said. Tehran has also deployed an intelligence unit there to intercept communications, the officials said.The secret Iranian programs are part of a broader effort by Tehran to gather intelligence and help Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s government in its struggle against Sunni militants with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria....
There is absolutely no indication Iran will do anything except provide defense measures for the Iraqi people. Iran has not proven to be an aggressor nation so much as a nation in defense of it's people. I really haven't noticed any other ambitions. So, if Iraq likes and trusts the government of Iran there is no reason to inhibit the help being provided in defense of people who have known fear, war and death for too many decades.
By: Sameer N. Yacoub
The Associated Press
Published on Wed Jun 25 2014
BAGHDAD—A defiant Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (click here) rejected calls Wednesday for an interim “national salvation government” intended to undermine the Sunni insurgency by presenting a unified front among Iraq’s three main groups, calling it a “coup against the constitution.”
Al-Maliki’s televised address to the nation was his first public statement since U.S. President Barack Obama challenged him last week to create a more inclusive government or risk his country descending into sectarian civil war....
Regardless of the estrangement of Sunnis within the Iraq government, the elections were legitimate. It isn't Maliki's fault Saddam was Sunni and people feared a return of such an authority. But, Maliki falls within his rights to oppose a sudden change in government because he didn't actively attack and kill Sunnis. This is a revolution that started outside of Iraq.
The Iraqi Defense Force wasn't sufficiently prepared to oppose a sincere confrontation with killers. It isn't as though the Iraqi government and military threw up their hands and said, "Okay, we have been impossible to deal with therefore you can now have a place in the government." That isn't the way it happened. The revolution is far more traditional than that. The Sunni opposition took every opportunity to form a militia stronger than most national militaries in the area.
ISIS is stronger than the Syrian military, no surprise there, McCain was sending them arms.
ISIS is stronger than the Syrian military, no surprise there, McCain was sending them arms.
I don't blame Secretary Kerry for trying to mitigate the situation with a change in Iraqi government to satiate any civil war, but, the current government has a point and right now they have to protect the citizens. Lives come before politics and right now there are citizens that are at risk and the Prime Minister must be compelled to put them first.
The international community can argue this is a war Iraq has longer for to kill Sunnis and build a relationship with Iran, but, that won't hold water. This isn't a faux war to change alliance or priorities. This is a real threat to people and it is that threat which has to be stopped.
None of Iraq's allies have been shunned or shown a preference. I sincerely believe this is a government entrenched in an unexpected war accepting all the help it can get to stop and reverse the aggression of Sunni militants.
The international community can argue this is a war Iraq has longer for to kill Sunnis and build a relationship with Iran, but, that won't hold water. This isn't a faux war to change alliance or priorities. This is a real threat to people and it is that threat which has to be stopped.
None of Iraq's allies have been shunned or shown a preference. I sincerely believe this is a government entrenched in an unexpected war accepting all the help it can get to stop and reverse the aggression of Sunni militants.
