In recent weeks, a number of pundits have pointed to the
improving security situation in Iraq as proof positive that Iran
has begun scaling back its destabilizing influence in the former
Ba'athist state. But is Iran really behaving better? The answer,
according to the U.S. military, is "not so much." "There has been
no identified decrease in Iranian training and funding of illegal
Shi'a militias in Iraq," a new Pentagon report to Congress
maintains. "Tehran's support for Shi'a militant groups who attack
Coalition and Iraq forces remains a significant impediment to
progress towards stabilization."
The full report can be found here. It provides a good measure of
our recent successes in Iraq -- as well as the considerable
distance that we have left to travel.
topics:
Military, Iraq, Iran