Issues Under Fire: Iran, ISIS and the Battle for Iraq

Issues Under Fire: Iran, ISIS and the Battle for Iraq  

While the Obama administration struggle to get an AUMF (authorization to use military force) against ISIS from Congress, Iran is busy retaking ground from ISIS fighters in and around Tikrit. Unencumbered by domestic politics, Tehran has taken the lead in confronting the world's most militant menace and in doing so, have effectively sent the United States and its so-called coalition to a seat on the sidelines.  

Unfortunately, it was from the sidelines that Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the administration's Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff  was forced to admit, that Iran's activities in Iraq can be seen as a good thing (so far.) Although tempering his comments with concerns that Iranian backed militias could use this opportunity for a little sectarian payback, the fact remains, until the administration and Congress can agree on a plan of action, Iran will call the shots in the region for now. 

If you're wondering what the other 60 members and contributors to the coalition against ISIS are doing while the U.S.  Congress grandstands in the midst of a full blown multinational conflict, you're not alone. One can only presume, many are simply keeping their powder dry until Washington D.C. gets its act together. Why would Jordan or Turkey go too far out on a limb, if the so-called leader of the pack is giving mixed and incoherent signals. 

Without the slightest sense of urgency, Congressional stumblebums continue to move at a glacial pace, while Iran slowly but steadily takes control of Iraq. If Tehran can restrain Iraqi ground forces' thirst for revenge, while convincing Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to cut Iraqi Sunnis some slack, Iran could conceivably annex Baghdad a la Vladimir Putin in Crimea. Its a cinch the Shia lead government will be grateful and indebted to Iran for pulling their asses out of the fire and will undoubtedly pledge allegiance to its new regional BFF. 

With the U.S. having little more to offer than promises of more training and pinprick air strikes, it looks as though the Iraqis have decided to move on. After trillions spent, thousands of U.S. soldiers dead and tens of thousands more wounded mentally and physically, Iran is positioning itself to claim the best of what's left of Iraq. Think of it, one day in the not too distant future, Iran could have a say in the flow of Iraqi oil. As they say, to the victor goes the spoils. 

Bottom line: From this observer's perspective, in the final analysis, the United States, with all of its military power, Western European support and regional coalition partners, actually lost control of Iraq years ago. One could even make the argument, that the West never had the resources or staying power to sustain control of Iraq for the long term. In reality, the United States and the West either just failed to recognize the looming loss or did and simply refused to admit it. Podcast Below!