. Military Space News .
Iran to seek influence through Iraq elections: Pentagon

by Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) Jan 13, 2009
Iran is likely to use this year's elections in Iraq to try and extend its influence over the country even as it trains, funds and arms militant groups intent on destabilizing Iraq, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

In a quarterly report to Congress, the Defense Department said Iran's "malign influence" was one of a number of factors that still weighs on the security situation in Iraq even though violence has fallen to levels not seen since 2004.

"In the months ahead, Tehran will likely seek to influence Iraq by identifying and supporting pro-Iranian individuals and parties in their bids to win upcoming elections," the report said.

"Iran continues to pose a significant threat to Iraq's long-term stability, territorial integrity, and political independence," it said.

"Despite persistent promises to the contrary, Iranian behavior continues to reflect a fundamental desire to oppose the development of a fully secure and stable Iraq."

The report accused Iran of trying to derail, both in public and covertly, a long-term security agreement between the United States and Iraq.

At the same time, "it continues to host, train, fund, arm and direct militant groups intent on destabilizing Iraq," the report said.

"Countering malign influence and balancing soft Iranian influence remain priorities to stabilize Iraq and ensure the sovereignty of its people," it said.

Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said there was "persistent evidence" that Iran continues to supply so-called Shiite "special groups" with training and weapons, including armor-penetrating explosives.

The report alluded to a rout last year of Iranian-backed groups in southern Iraq, saying Iran has since renewed its focus on developing political and economic clout with Iraq's Shiite parties.

At the same time, it also has sought to strengthen ties with smaller, more effective militant groups, the report said.

"Some militants who had sought refuge in Iran are now attempting to return to Iraq, where they would be capable of resuming attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces," the report said.

The report noted other potential trouble spots despite an otherwise improving security situation.

They included a rise in assassinations of judicial and legislative officials, and violence against Christians in the northern Nineveh province.

In addition ethnic tensions in the northern oil city of Kirkuk and the return of refugees "have the potential to halt or reverse progress," the report said.

But in a sign of the times, the report said Iraqis are now less concerned about the violence than about the quality of daily life.

"The lack of essential services has now replaced security as the most important concern in the minds of most Iraqis, many of whom are not satisfied with the quality or availability of food, clean water, electricity, sewage services, and health care," it said.

Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
Iraq: The first technology war of the 21st century



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Dogs of War: Immunity and impunity
Washington (UPI) Jan 12, 2009
One of the commonly voiced complaints about private security contractors is that they operate with complete impunity. This always has been somewhat overstated. For example, the June 2003 Coalition Provisional Authority Order 17, which states that contractors "shall be immune from any form of arrest or detention," is said to grant them blanket immunity from any and all crimes. That ignores Section 5 of the order, which states contractors' immunity from prosecution "may be waived" by the "sending state" -- which, in the case of U.S. contractors, is the U.S. government.







  • US envoy seeks 'alliance of equals' with Japan
  • US military chief urges shift to civilian instruments of power
  • 'Big leaguer Clinton' charms Senate chums
  • China, US upbeat on future of bilateral relationship

  • Clinton vows to quickly renegotiate arms treaty with Russia
  • Obama should not put NKorea issue behind Iran: Kim Dae-Jung
  • Seoul rejects NKorea's demand to search SKorea for nukes
  • Obama must step up fight against secret nuclear trade, experts say

  • Taiwan not impressed by reported Chinese plan to withdraw missiles
  • Javelin Joint Venture Awarded Contract For Command Launch Unit Upgrade
  • NLOS-LS Completes Third Test Flight Of Precision Attack Missile
  • Russian Military Confirms 13 Strategic Missile Launches For 2009

  • Pratt And Whitney To Power Kinetic Interceptors
  • Obama Set To Continue Doctrine Shift In Nuclear Defense Part One
  • Pentagon denies missile defense sales talks with India
  • BMD Watch: New missile for S-400 Triumf

  • Britons sign up to own land earmarked for Heathrow expansion
  • Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's skycar
  • Protesters buy land earmarked for Heathrow expansion
  • NASA Balloon Mission Tunes In To A Cosmic Radio Mystery

  • Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle Completes 1500 Shipboard Sorties With US Navy
  • Skylark 1 LE Selected By Israeli Ministry Of Defense
  • Russia mulls unprecedented Israel drones purchase
  • Raven UAS Certified By Italian Ministry Of Defense

  • Iran to seek influence through Iraq elections: Pentagon
  • Analysis: KBR, U.S. critiqued by SIGIR
  • Dogs of War: Immunity and impunity
  • US hands over Green Zone security to Iraq

  • Swords and Shields: F-35 beats Russians
  • Lockheed Paveway 2 Laser-Guided Bomb Begins Operational Release With US Navy
  • Gazan Tank Battles 2009 - Part Three
  • Israel using Gaza as 'test laboratory' for new weapon: medics

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement