My prognostication is that Iran will be the next carob at play in the middle-east morass. But, pay no attention to my musings, because, after all, I picked Al Gore as the eventual Democratic Presidential Nominee. (It’s not over yet, Sir G!)
Anyhow, in the news today, Iran is telling Iraq that the presence of United States troops in Iraq are standing in the way of peace between Iran and Iraq. I…am not buying into this one. Admitedly, an ongoing war in the neighborhood can be disturbing to ones peace, but it is difficult for me to swallow Iran as the harbinger of goodness.
Here’s the deal. Prior to “the war,” the United Nations agreed to a mandate permitting forces to occupy Iraq, and this pact terminates at the end of this year. Currently, the United States and Iraq are in contract negotiations to forge an acceptable “Status of Forces Agreement.” This is nothing new or novel, and governments all over the globe have these. Simply, they agree to where a foreign army can put their bases and what they can do whilst there. Kinda like renting a flat and signing the lease in your uniform and moving in with your HUMMER.
Iran has decided that it is not in Iraq’s best interest to continue these agreement negotiations, and is urging them not to sign. Bah. Pure politics. Firstly, agreement or not, I doubt very seriously the United States is leaving Iraq anytime soon. Secondly, I believe the only thing keeping Iran from running all over Iraq is the presence of UN, OK, mostly, US forces.
History ALWAYS repeats, and damn, people’s memories are short. One of the bloodiest conflicts of all time was the Iraq-Iran War, long fought from 1980 to 1988. Iraq and Iran have been at odds for literally centuries, but Iraq invaded Iran in 1980 to get some oil fields, Iran pushed Iraq out by 1982, and for the next six years, Iran resisted United Nations efforts to bring about a cease-fire.
Anyhow, also announced today, Iran has called for all Iranian banks to transfer assets and investments from European banks to Iran’s central bank. This…is a big deal, and in addition to slamming the United States, tells the world how Iran feels about Europe.
Oil…ugh.
~ X anemi
