All Bush managed to do is to the give the Iranian mullahs Iraq. Something that the Iranians have been trying to do (and failing) for many years.
Although inaccurate, I'm sure nothing would please you, or Hugo Chavez, more.... given your apparent love for Ahmadinejad.
But nothing could be further from the truth. Although Iran's IRGC has definitely penetrated portions of the Iraqi government, their primary support has been lent to folks like Muqtada Al Sadr and the Mahdi Militia, as well as the Badr Corps.
However, you underestimate the distaste that Arabs and Persians have for one another. Iraqi Shia really consider themselves to be the heartland of Shi'ism, as indicated by the fact that millions of Shia perform their version of the Hadj to the holy Shia cities in Iraq.
And these holy cities are governed over by folks like Ayatollah Al Sistani, who greatly resents the Iranian hardliners who were likely behind the murder of several of his friends, Ayatollahs Al Khoei, and Al Hakim, both of whom were killed in 2003 likely on the orders of Muqtada Al Sadr.
But what about MAS?? MAS is the last remaining son of a venerated Shia Grand Ayatollah, who was murded on Saddam's orders. So he's physically untouchable given the esteemed memory of his father.
But politically? Well, he has quite a few followers, but his only political influence has been to provide support to Al-Jafarri, who's on the political ropes as we speak. If Al Jafaari is booted, it will be a humiliation for MAS.
So you see.. (and I'm sure you don't), Iran's influence in Iraq has its limitations. They are vying for influenece and control, but the Arab Shia's aren't so stupid as to hand over control of 80% of Iraq's oil to Iran. If anything, Iran may fear people like Al Sistani even more, since he seems to have far more religious credibility with both Iranians and Iraqis than Ahmadinejad.
Hawk |
