IRAQ-IRAN BORDER — Soldiers from the Multinational Division Central-South stand at the entrance to Fort Tarik on the Iran-Iraq border. The Iraqi outpost helps secure the often contentious border. Defense Dept. Photo by Jim GaramoneFrom The Washington Institute:
In December 2008, shortly before assuming office, President Barack Obama called for "tough but direct diplomacy with Iran." As the new administration moves forward, it must realize that U.S.-Iranian negotiations will take place while Iran is killing Americans in Iraq and increasing its support for armed Iraqi factions. Like its predecessor, the Obama administration must prepare for the challenge of negotiating under fire.
Iranian-Backed Operations, 2003-2007
In addition to significant economic investment and relationship building among Iraq's political parties, Iran develops influence in Iraq by providing Iraqi militants with training, shelter, money, and equipment. Analysis of declassified interrogation and other intelligence material published by the West Point Counterterrorism Center, the Institute for Studying War, and the Long War Journal, has publicly revealed what military intelligence professionals have been piecing together for longer than five years: that Iran has been developing a covert action program in Iraq for decades, one that is open-ended, resilient, and well-funded, and that utilizes a broad range of Iraqi proxies.
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My Comment: A very detailed and comprehensive report. If true, this report is a smoking gun on Iran's ambitions to be the regional superpower in the near future.