Are we being played (again)?

 

 

"I trust this government --- NOT!!!"

The big and continuing news story is the attempted retaking of Tikrit. For those who don't remember, Tikrit is the birthplace of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Some months ago, the bloodthirsty group known as ISIL, stormed in and took Tikrit. They were met with a tepid resistance from Iraqi troops and the town soon fell into ISIL hands.

First a small bit of disclosure. Back before the Shah fell, the company I worked hosted members of the Iranian Navy for in-house training. They mostly kept to themselves, but for the most part were friendly and non-threatening. When the revolution occurred, these men suddenly became ex-patriots. None of them wanted to go back and face Islamic justice for being aligned with the Shah. The reason I tell this is simple - the people of Iran are not the problem. It is the government. And the government cannot, and should not, be trusted.

That being said, I believe this Iranian government is playing us. Not just a little bit, but quite a bit. Now back to Tikrit. The United States has made two things known. First, this spring will be an offensive where we will try and retake Mosel and now also Tikrit. Second, there will be "no boots (that be our boots) on the ground to help".  And this is where it gets interesting.

Turkey will be involved. However, they don't trust Iraqi troops to be ready enough to fight by spring time. Iraq does not want the United States dictating when and where any fighting will be done on Iraqi soil. Iran, while in the middle of phony nuclear talks with the United States, AND holding war game exercises where they are sinking mocked up US aircraft carriers, has offered to send in troops to help fight ISIL. So the question remains to be asked - is Iran with us, against us, or playing us? I vote for choice # 3.

It has been said the only time various tribes or sects in the Middle East become united is when they are facing down "infidels". Once the infidels are vanquished, it is back to squabbling. Iran has shown its hand many times as of late. Sometimes they operate behind the curtain, and other times they make their threats openly. They hate us. They hate Israel. If they could destroy both countries without being destroyed in return, they would do so.

The fall of Mosel and Tikrit was on our watch. In our haste to leave Iraq, we left them partially defenseless. We need to tell Iran to stay the hell out, get some troops back in theater, and retake ISIL held territory. Turkey is right. Iraqi troops are not yet ready for prime time. However we are. The coalition against Syria and Iraq should be the United States, Turkey, Jordon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and whomever else from the Euro Zone would like to join.

It is not in anyone's interest (except Iran) for Iraq to become a puppet state of Iran. We need a strong and democratic Iraq to stem the tide in the Middle East. First order of business is cut out the cancer known as ISIL. Then strengthen Iraq. Once Iraq is stable, and strong, then we leave. Not a second sooner.

We will see what Kerry and team have in mind. My fear is it is nothing like I just described.