Iraq fears Trump's final weeks could see confrontation between U.S. and Iran

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: Washington Post

BAGHDAD —The Iraqi government is on edge as the Trump presidency enters its final weeks, fearing that a last-minute confrontation between the United States and Iran could erupt on Iraqi soil.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is under pressure from U.S. officials to escalate his government’s crackdown on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, whose rockets have repeatedly targeted diplomatic and military sites used by Americans over the past year. President Trump has now told his advisers he is prepared to order a devastating response if any Americans are killed in attacks attributed to Iran.

With tensions running high, there are concerns here that provocative actions by either side could spark unintended conflict.

“As a government, I think the Iraqis are just wishing they could close their eyes and have these two months fly by. The potential for escalation is high,” said Sajad Jiyad, an Iraq expert and fellow at the Century Foundation.



Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iraq-fears-trumps-final-weeks-could-see-confrontation-between-us-and-iran/ar-BB1bqi9r?ocid=DELLDHP&li=BBnbfcL

[IsItJustMe]

1. "close their eyes and have these two months fly by"

I am sure al-Kadhimi is not the only one.

[burrowowl]

2. With the assassination of Iran's nuclear scientist

things might get a bit dicey. Even if it was Israel it would be with the CIA's blessing.

[napi21]

3. Not only Iraq, I'm afraid he will too! Just to give Biden an impossible prob-

lem to deal with!

[orangecrush]

4. This explains all the firings at the Pentagon and intel community

And insertion of yes men.

A scorched earth implementation of the worst possible policies.

[Warpy]

5. Tham and us, too

The thought of this absolutely terrifies me. it's been one of the GOP's dreams for a very long time, fighting a war that would most likely be unwinnable (again) and a quagmire ten times bigger than Afghanistan has been.

Iran is nothing like Iraq, it's got a huge, well equipped army and the terrain is vicious, no rolling tanks over the desert this time.

Bibi and the GOP have dreams of glory. MBS is fighting the same religious war that's been going on for over 1200 years there. Bibi has been trying to get us to do his dirty work for him but normalizing relations with Arab countries has signaled he's ready to get his own hands dirty, too.

All we can hope is that the hawks in the Pentagon are forced to delay this insanity until Biden is sworn in. It is insanity. It will spin far out of anyone's control.

[James48]

6. Here we go.

We just sent B-52’s into the region.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/president-trump-sends-b52s-to-gulf-in-final-show-of-strength-with-iran-xwrmls05n


We altered the course of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and sent it into the Persian Gulf. (Bad move- it’s stuck there now and an easier target. ) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8995003/US-deploys-USS-Nimitz-Persian-Gulf-cover-troops-leaving-Iraq-Afghanistan.html

It’s only a matter of time before Trump engages in a full blown attack getting us sucked into another shooting spree with Iran.

[EndlessWire]

7. I'd still keep my eyes on North Korea.

Aren't Iran and North Korea allies?

Trump likes to sample power, like a game. He probably would enjoy the excitement of a nuclear confrontation, something he hasn't tried yet. These people don't think things through very well.

[ck4829]

8. A legitimate fear