Cross Your Fingers
June 30, 2009 marks the day US forces have finally pulled out of Iraqi cities, turning security over to the Iraqis.
The day was marked by joyous celebrations and parades, but the party was cut short in Kirkuk by a car bomb that killed 20 and wounded 40.
General Odierno, the current Commanding General in Iraq, believes the continuing violence in Iraq to be directed and funded by Iran.
US Ambassador Christopher Hill had this to say:
“The Iraqi government is also very concerned about this and I think the Iraqi government is taking a very tough minded view of some of these insurgent groups that the Iranians have clearly been supporting over the last year or so,” he added.
Tehran denies any connection to the violence in Iraq.
It appears that Bush’s strategy, though sloppily executed, may not have been as bad as I once thought. The Iraqis are taking hold of their country. Across the border Iranians are seeing a real democracy in action, and clearly wanting it as well. Public opinion is turning strongly against the Iranian establishment. The middle east is changing for the better.
However, looking over what is happening, another war between Iraq and Iran is possible. The current Iranian attacks in Iraq could be considered acts of war.
Luckily Iraq has the strongest ally in the world. But we must take care to approach this problem delicately. A misstep could push the Iranians to nationalism under the current regime and further the blood feud between Iraq and Iran.
On the other hand, we could soon see true democracy in Iran. The citizens are clearly hungry for it, and the more Ayatollah Khamenei tightens his grip, the more slips through his fingers.
It’s beginning to smell a lot like revolution in Iran.
I think Obama taking the right course in staying out of it. The Iranians look poised to take their country back, without our help.
Sadly, bloodshed is inevitable, but as Iraq continues to improve, she will be a beacon to her neighbors to the east, showing them that it is possible.