Comments on: Iraqi government to Iran: Hey, thanks for getting the militias to stop killing people Updated

By: Hot Air » Blog Archive » NIE: Iran halted its nuke program in 2003

Hot Air » Blog Archive » NIE: Iran halted its nuke program in 2003 — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:55:19 +0000

[...] (AP): This weekend the LA Times asked a good question posed recently on this very blog, namely, what’s behind the U.S.-Iran detente in Iraq? Their answer: [...]

By: Dudley Smith

Dudley Smith — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:14:16 +0000

As a comment on Bryan’s update, it’s interesting to note that Kagan and Keane’s plan for the surge before it was implemented recognized that the Shiite militias were largely a response to the Sunni Insurgency/Al-Quaeda attacks. They were very foreful in arguing that we should be focusing on the Sunni side first with any counterinsurgency efforts, because if we could quell it, then the Shia side could possibly take care of itself. That seems to be what is happening here, and it portends very well that if the Sunnis are quiet at the end of Sadr’s 6 month cease-fire, the rank and file Shias aren’t going to be lining up to start the fighting all over again, even if that’s what might be in Sadr’s best interests. Hell, I’m not even sure if it will even be in Sadr’s best interests to start up the violence again if the people are as fed up with it as they seem to be and the Sunnis have been pacified.

By: landlines

landlines — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:55:15 +0000

Gun boat diplomacy works……period.

Hening on November 19, 2007 at 8:30 AM

Right on! The answer is that Bush made them an offer they couldn’t refuse!

By: Hening

Hening — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:30:24 +0000

Gun boat diplomacy works……period.

By: The Monster

The Monster — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:57:30 +0000

I lean towards the notion that Iran saw how easily Israel carried out that mission in Syria unopposed and the fact that their best defense systems are incapable of thwarting an attack from Israel or the U.S.

They have the best air defense the Russians sell, and it gave them exactly Jack Schidt when the Little Satan came out to play. Iran does not want a military confrontation with the Great Satan.

By: bnelson44

bnelson44 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:34:15 +0000

Thanks for the update, Bryan. Makes sense.

By: Opinionnation

Opinionnation — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:20:54 +0000

Figure in the sanctions and Iran has everything to lose and nothing to gain.

Guardian on November 18, 2007 at 8:47 PM

That’s right. They have no use in undermining the US in Iraq anymore given that President Bush never gave an inch to Democratic or world pressure. Their strategy failed and they are suddenly realizing that continuing to aid factional terrorism only strengthens Bush’s policy towards them, as well as, weakening their position with the United Nations

By: SoulGlo

SoulGlo — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:25:41 +0000

Maybe Iran finally got the message that George Bush will attack them if they don’t back off.

By: Griz

Griz — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:14:38 +0000

I agree with Gaurdian. As well as knowing Islamists are the most patient of strategists.

By: Theworldisnotenough

Theworldisnotenough — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:05:15 +0000

Just another reason to build the government from the bottom up. Skip Baghdad and find local leaders to spend the oil money and provide basic services. Get those leaders elected. I wish we could do it in America.

By: Guardian

Guardian — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:47:15 +0000

I lean towards the notion that Iran saw how easily Israel carried out that mission in Syria unopposed and the fact that their best defense systems are incapable of thwarting an attack from Israel or the U.S.

Figure in the sanctions and Iran has everything to lose and nothing to gain.

By: bnelson44

bnelson44 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:39:15 +0000

US officials met privately with Iranian officials and remarked afterward that they told Iran that they would not tolerate continued Iranian involvement via Quds force personnel and IED and other weapons transfers to Iraqi insurgents.

http://www.redstate.com/blogs/gamecock/2007/nov/18/did_iran_surrender_to_president_bush_or_pelosi_reid_hillary_obama_in_iraq

By: That’s funny — I thought we were the ones who saved Iraq.

That’s funny — I thought we were the ones who saved Iraq. — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:37:56 +0000

[...] Hot-Air has the story. [...]

By: bnelson44

bnelson44 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:25:41 +0000

With a new Democratic Congress in place and anti-war sentiment burning incandescently before the surge began, why didn’t Iran put the militias in motion and ratchet the violence way up in an all-out push to force Bush into a humiliating withdrawal under fire? Why give him a breather and let the hawks regain some momentum?

You mean when we had 3 carrier task forces in the area and were rounding up all their “diplomats”?