Issues Under Fire: While the West Ponder Strategy, Iran Takes Fight to ISIS
The Israeli Prime Minister may have mesmerized Congress with his "Churchillian" moment, but for those less enamored, a mere cursory review of what's happening on the ground belies much of the" Messenger's" message. After delivering a speech designed to demonize the Iranian government and call the on world to act against Tehran, reports are coming in from reliable sources that indicate Iran is now leading the ground war against ISIS in Iraq.
While the West ponders a strategy from a safe distance, Iran has sent one its most senior battle tested generals to advise and lead a complicated mission to dislodge ISIS fighters from Tikrit. Reportedly a commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Qassem Soleimani, has taken charge of ground operations and by all accounts, making progress.
Going where U.S. boots are no longer trusted, welcomed or allowed, Iran has found a way to navigate the Sunni, Shia divide to augment Iraqi forces in confronting the so-called Islamic State. This is no easy task, but they seem to be pulling it of so far. Exporting arms, providing troops and tactical support, Iran has effectively taken the United States' place as Iraq's primary source of military support.
Since the U.S. can't or won't supply the Iraqis with the weapons they claim to need at this time and refuse to engage ISIS directly on the ground, Iraq has turned to Iran to fill the gap. Were it not for the Israelis constantly railing against Iran's very existence, perhaps the international community could see the value Iran brings to the table in the world's battle against this latest scourge challenging humanity. If the Israeli narrative is allowed to prevail, the West could lose a critical ally in a conflict it's yet to prove it can't control or even contain.
Unfortunately, for complex geopolitical considerations, U.S. officials can't acknowledge Iran's contributions to the cause of degrading and destroying ISIS. Therefore, much of the credit for Iran's efforts will go underreported. So much rhetoric has been engineered to cast Iran as the 21st century's most dangerous threat, allowing Tehran to be seen taking the lead in the fight against Islamic terrorist would only confuse the causal observer.
Bottom line: In an effort to keep it simple, Iran has to remain forever defined as lying, cheating, state sponsors of terror, hellbent on bringing a nuclear holocaust to the entire world. Americans must be thoroughly convinced Iran can do no right and Israel can do no wrong. As long as this is the prevailing view of Tehran and by extension the Iranian people, the conflict between the U.S. and Iran can be sustained indefinitely. And that is one dastardly plan! Podcast Below!
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