Thursday, January 17, 2019

Iraq Could Turn Into A Battlefield If U.S. - Iran Tensions Escalate

Iraqi members of the powerful Iran-backed Badr Brigades take part in a parade marking al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in the capital Baghdad, on July 1, 2016

Asharq Al-awsat: Int’l Crisis Group: Iraq Likely Theater of US-Iran Tension

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has warned that Iraq could turn into the main battlefield of confrontation between the United States and Iran.

Iraq could bear the brunt if conflict intensifies between Tehran and Washington, the think-tank said in a study released Wednesday.

ICG, which researches ways to prevent war, interviewed officials around the world including from Iran for an extensive report on the state of the 2015 denuclearization accord between Tehran and major powers.

The ICG said Iran would likely continue to comply with the deal, seeing itself as holding the moral high ground and capable of waiting out US President Donald Trump, who faces a re-election battle next year.

Read more ....

Update #1: Iraq likely theater if US, Iran tensions worsen: study (AFP)
Update #2: Iraq stuck between US short-term interests and Iran's proximity (RUDAW)

WNU Editor: Iran does have a large number of militias in Iraq that support it's agenda against the U.S.. But there are also many in Iraq who look unfavourably against Iran.

No comments: