Endgame in Iraq

[KrustyKidd]

Endgame is here and cannot be stopped.

The past four years have been a long time but now, with Rice and Rumsfeld arriving in Iraq, the purpose of which can be none other than to lay the cards on the table that the US is leaving soon and for them to pick it up or lose it.

The situation is the best that has been there for four years. Shiite led government sucking up to the Sunnis and the Sunnis seeing they have a place in the government that guarantees their rights and positions. To allow the Jihadists to come in can only make their situation less powerful and, as a secondary problem for the Jihadists, the Sunni leadership on the local levels only needed them to do one thing - place pressure on the Shiites and not replace them as tribal leaders. hence, onece they have what they want on the political feild, the Jihadists will find a rough road ahead getting in and freely moving through Sunni communtities.

The Iranians on the other hand have and still can place pressure on the US by ratcheting up pressure through alligned factions within the Shiite communties. This influence is short lived though as Iraqs are not Iranians and while similar in religion, are very different in ultimate nationalistic goals. hence, once the Iranians are sure that a pro (or at the very least) a non Sunni leadership will take place then they have what they want. What is further interesting here is that earlier this month with the talk of who was going to replace the outgoing PM in Iraq, they were all over the US to talk but since the candiate has been decided and they approve, the talks are now suddenly not on, and, no pressure being placed anywhere. Seems they are happy too.

So, it seems that as of late, all sides have it - for now. The Kurds virtual autonomy, the Iranians, a non Sunni leadership albeit with a Sunnin minority (countered with a strong Shiite majority) and the US sure to pullout within the year or two.

The only losers here are the Jihadists who will, if I am correct, find it harder and harder to operate. Rumsfeld and Rice have gone to Iraq to lay it out that they will not babysit forever and, with Bush's popularity declining to 32% and an ever increasingly hostile congress, he can't help them for much longer. Hence, one way or another, it is their game now. This should prove to be very interesting as the Iraqi security forces will now have to use it or lose it in their crackdowns on militents and Jihadists.

Another interesting couple of points is the two recent films of Osama Bin laden and Al Zarkowi. Bin Laden, the scourge of the Western world has now forgotten his previous threats to topple and strike fear into the the US and now is focusing on Sudan. Hardly the center of the world in any way shape or form. This shift in focus for him shows that he is lowering his sights to allow for a target to shoot for that he can hit.

The next video is interesting as a followup and is Zarkowi trapping off the usual kill the infidel crap. However, what is interesting is that he is making his own vid and makes no reference to Osama as leader and, even more interesting is that he has taken much care to show his face and display himself as a common soldier. leading from the front. This I believe is his play for the leadership of Al Queda.

Interesting times indeed.