WITH IRAN, AGAINST SYRIA:

Chalabi now puts Iraq first Editor's note: Ahmad Chalabi [1] is either a consequential figure of opaque, backstage talents, or he has an uncanny ability to the ride the momentum of enormously consequential events - placing himself at the right place, at the right time, among the right people to his overwhelming benefit. Chalabi was recently given an important new position in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government in Iraq, now tasked to build or maintain support for the ramped-up security regime by ensuring that Iraqi people are compensated for any damage or fallout resulting from more aggressive security. (Ximena Ortiz, /02/07, National Interest)

AC: US officials without question represent the strongest force, both politically and military, in Iraq. Therefore, it is not serious to pursue their role as spectators. They will have a significant role to play, and I believe that by the mere factor of being present in the same conference room as the Syrians and the Iranians at this level in Baghdad is very significant. I mean, after all, we tried very hard to get this meeting going last year, almost one year ago. It almost happened then. But then it was foiled at the last minute. One year later, they are back to the same situation, except now it is a multilateral thing - with the US and Iran to sit in the same conference room.

NIo: So do you think that this represents an evolution in Washington's foreign-policy thinking, the fact that they are willing to be present?

AC: Clearly. They have established that confrontation with Iran is counterproductive and will complicate the path of the Iraqi government in establishing security in the country.

NIo: Do you feel that these regional players could reach an accommodation among themselves, regardless of what the US role ends up being?

AC: The answer is yes. Syria and Iran can play a very significant role in establishing civil peace in Iraq. It is now established that the Syrians have influence among the armed groups in the west, and Iran has influence among the armed groups in Baghdad and the south. And they can play in a moderating role with those people. I believe that the countries that are of significance in Iraq now - and that can help the government establish civil peace in the country - are Syria, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia.

And I believe that there is a possibility that the Turkish prime minister [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] will visit Baghdad in the next two weeks. So Turkey is now interested in playing a role. The Sunni community of Saudi Arabia is now playing a role. They are trying to establish contacts with communities in Iraq. And I think that these new developments will help the establishment of peace in the country. I think everybody saw the stupidity of making Iraq the battleground between countries who have quarrels outside Iraq.

Note that confrontation with Syria is not likewise counterproductive.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 1, 2007 7:52 AM