The coming Iran-US Confrontation in Iraq

Meanwhile, the United States wants to play an active role in determining the future of the PMU and facilitating the demobilization or integration of the remaining PMU units into the Iraqi security forces in order to manage its power, as it might influence US interests in Iraq. The integration of the PMU into the existing security forces under the Defense Ministry and the Interior Ministry would prevent the buildup of strong institutions outside of the governmental structure, akin to the Iranian Basij.

The United States is concerned that the PMU may turn into a Hezbollah-type proxy of Iran, potentially escalating regional rivalries by antagonizing regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Thus, the post-IS governance of Mosul — and the contribution of each of the involved forces in the distribution of power — appears likely to be the biggest challenge ahead. One of the possible scenarios is that Mosul will return to its pre-IS status, with the Iraqi central government assuming full authority over Ninevah province.

Both Baghdad and Tehran support this scenario, although Sunni Arab communities and Kurds do not and believe that reverting to the previous situation will not solve security problems. Koushki said the favored US scenario is to turn Ninevah into a Sunni region like the Kurdistan region. He said the more serious US presence in Iraq in recent years shows that Washington’s purpose is to weaken the Iraqi central government and influence Baghdad’s political landscape.

How Iran might respond to the latter remains unclear. The University of Tehran professor added, “While Iran advocates Iraq’s territorial integrity, it will support the decisions of the Iraqis.”

One Response to The coming Iran-US Confrontation in Iraq

  1. a.j.aziz 24th March 2017 at 15:06 #

    to deal with such complicating situation < the following scenarios to be taken into consideration:

    1- USA is always chose the wrong men, they have done so in Iraq , so why clinch to different ideas , they already sponsored meetings in Europe and Turkey , the attendants came with one idea, deny others their legitimate rights ( both attacking Shiaats for their, rights for visiting holey Shiaat shrines , ask the kurds to go back to 2003 borders , they did not claim what they are already denied off , so it is the same policy of BAATH party .

    2- Who trust iraqi politicians that emerged after 2003 with the aid of United states , they robbed the country of the huge wealth, USA already kb=new that but do nothing .

    3- Iraqi Shiaat got ties with Iran, both are shiaat , what ties Iraqies with USA , the south baptist church that say ( our GOD is not the same as yours )<they came to iraq trying to exploit Christians to convert to become baptist , and there is too many indication that they pushed MR. Bush junior to wage war against Iraq .

    4- United states practice of reconstruction , it proved that it is total disaster , they already with mine removal , handed it to so called sterling company that was security company only 5 years ago , there is kurdish companies with experience dating back to 1991 , but they get nothing , so USA is about to shut down that industry that saved the live of million of kurds .

    5- We all knew that sunni are opportunist and shiaat are thieves ( polticians ) ,sunni working for greater dictatorship than before as they believe they are the only one that must run the country , the shiaat claim the same .

    6- Iran has armed militias in Iraq , many fight in Syria , ABADI on last visit to Washington told Mr. TRUMP that popular Mobilization is a legitimate entity . so how America can remove it , many of such Militia were armed by the government , many ABRAMS TANKS handed to them, but they are outside the control of the government.

    7- ministry of interior : it is 100% percent owned by Iran: Badr owns it , Badr is Iranian strong arm in Iraq , the federal police is so powerful, that it owns mechanized division,swat , special forces , it counts to more than 2 fully armed divisions .

    8- Noori Almaliky is Irans most powerful agent , with 50 billion USD at his disposal , now ( DEFACTO ) in control of the parliament , and buying everyone ( sunni and shiaat ) .

    9- Islamic party that follows TURKEY : do you think Salim Al-JIBOURY shall not convoy all American plans to RAJAB TAIB ARDOGAN ,the most wanted man by USA , Salim is ascertaining his position , raising his salary and benefits to be equal to prime Minister , he might stand against Iranian influence , but only to strengthen his party and ARDUGAN influence in Iraq so another wave of Islamic brotherhood will emerge.Islamist are opportunist, they do anything to strengthen their position , no matter what is the consequences, already we have Shiaat in Iraq and Muslim brother hood in EGYPT, both tried to destroy their own country , they have no alliance to their own country , sovereignty is a word they do not understand , the Americans shall come with much worse solution, not solutions ,

    we experienced USA democracy since 2003 till this moment , it does harm much more than you can imagine.