Iran Brokers Truce Between Sadr, Iraqi Forces

12-May-2008 (12 comments)

BAGHDAD -- The showdown between Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr and the Iraqi government came to a halt this weekend after Mr. Sadr agreed to a truce brokered by Iran, a sign of Tehran's growing influence in Iraqi politics. In the past five years, as Shiite political parties have dominated the Iraqi government, Iran's scope of influence has widened. This puts the Iraqi government at a precarious position between two important friends, the U.S. and Iran.

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wide influence?

by Jahanshah Javid on Mon May 12, 2008 07:09 AM PDT

If by influence you mean Iranians can talk to various factions and achieve a greater rate of success, then yes, Iran has greater influence. But that's largely because of shared culture. When it comes to national interests, the Iraqis, the Kurds, the Afghans, the Lebanese and other regional states would rather talk to Iran than the U.S. which has not been able to win many friends with military might and money. But this does not mean that these nations are bowing to the Ayatollahs. Rather they are desperate and to survive, they turn to anyone that understands their language and culture. But if they feels the Islamic Republic is trying to dominate or twist their arm in any way, they will stop dealing with Tehran. What does the IRI get from all of this? Nothing but propaganda as a peace broker. I think the Americans tend to exaggerate Iran's true power and believe Tehran's leaders to be a lot smarter than they are. They just don't understand their mindset... Anyway, I'm not so sure of what I'm saying either. I just think IRI leaders are a bunch of cowards but they sure know how to talk big.