(New York Post) Amir Taheri - Iran and the U.S. are expected to begin talks on what they have both called "measures to benefit the Iraqi people." Iran has already scored a point by positioning itself as a power speaking for the Iraqi people. Iranian Foreign Minister Motakki has said that Iran's chief priority is to discuss the withdrawal of Coalition forces from Iraq. Thus, when the Americans and their allies start to leave, as they are certain to do later this year, Iran will pretend that it was its efforts that ended "the occupation." Worse, Iran sees Iraq as a corridor to Syria and Lebanon. If Tehran's influence is established in Iraq as it is in Syria and Lebanon, Iran would be able to project power in the Levant for the first time since the 7th century.
2006-03-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive