FIRE WITH FIRE

No wonder the Iraqi government is failing. As fast as citizens step up to the plate, al-Qaida strikes them out -- permanently!

An Iraqi oil minister was kidnapped today by terrorists. (Click here to read the story.) Two more Sunni leaders were killed this week for taking a public stand against al-Qaida. A southern governor and police chief were killed by a roadside bomb. All this in just two days! There are continuing reports of Iraqi political leaders being killed, police recruits mowed down, police barracks bombed, Iraqi soldiers targeted.

Al-Qaida, Shiite and Sunni insurgents and other terrorist groups operating in Iraq have found an effective way to maintain chaos. Every time Iraq begins to grow the head of leadership, they lop it off, leaving the limbs of the beast to flail away ineffectively. Messy but highly effective. No wonder the Iraqi government is in such disarray. Volunteering to serve is tantamount to a death wish.

Labels: al-Qaida, bomb, dissidents, hostages, Iraq, Sunni, violence

Posted by The Watcher at Tuesday, August 14, 2007 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Iran is about to make a critical decision. This week Iran will complete its investigation of Americans imprisoned or detained in Tehran and decide whether to try them for "crimes against national security" or free them. You can read the full article here.

It seems that Iran is about to play its biggest bargaining chip in what has become an escalating war of words and tension with Washington. Iran is obliquely bargaining imprisoned Americans against the release of Iranian operatives captured in Iraq. A hardline decision by Iran could engender the full wrath of America and initiate a military clash between the two powers.

In the next few days Iran's prosecutor for security affairs is expected to render his verdict in the cases of four Americans, three of whom have been held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison since early May. The fourth American is out on bond and a fifth unidentified American is also being held. All are dual US-Iran citizens who were in the country visiting family or on business. The US has vociferously denounced Iran for targeting American-Iran dual citizens. Shortly after the arrests, the US State Department issued a travel advisory warning Americans not to travel in Iran.

Iran has been equally strong in its indictment of the US for the detention of five Iranians captured last January in a military raid in Iraq. The Iranians are part of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force which is active in arming and training Iraqi militants. The US is due to review their case later this month.

The arrest of US-Iran citizens appears to be a power play by Iran, a useful bargaining chip in securing the release of its own citizens. Dialogue between the two countries has become increasingly incendiary.

"We will make the Americans regret their ugly and illegal act," said Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

Such inflammatory statements and Iran's continued meddling in the affairs of Iraq have increased America's ire. This week Senator Joe Lieberman denounced Iran's actions and threatened US military action (see our June 11 blog post). Iran should take care not to prick the sleeping American bull too much least he be roused to charge.

Labels: arrests, hostages, US-Iran citizens

Posted by The Watcher at Thursday, June 14, 2007 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post