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October 29, 2006Chalabi: Talk to Iran"If America enhances the Iraqi army, improves its intelligence, gives Iraqis and their government more authority, and opens talks with neighbors such as Iran, coalition forces could begin their withdrawal in less than two years...Iran and Turkey, both powerful neighbors of Iraq, must be involved in the process to help Iraq's security situation improve and its democratic process and economy develop. [emphasis added] Perhaps now that it's not just dreary realists calling for talks with Iran, but the neo-cons very own anointed and haloed Iraqi George Washington, the Ledeens and Rubins will take a different view on opening discussions w/ the Islamic Republic? I'm kidding, of course, they never would. But one can't resist pointing out yet another rich irony in an increasingly long list of them.... Posted by Gregory at October 29, 2006 03:45 PMComments
Just like George Washington. Chicago U sure has some live ones. Posted by: NeoDude at October 29, 2006 08:47 PM | Permalink to this comment
Hasn't Chalabi been playing footsie with the Iranians for months? The only difference now is he's doing it publically. Posted by: Geoduck at October 29, 2006 09:48 PM | Permalink to this comment
of note... while Chalabi mentions Turkey and Iran, he assiduously avoids mentioning talks with Syria (and criticises US talks with people connected with the Sunni insurgency). This adds credence to the reports that Chalabi was a "double agent"...working on behalf of Iran while faking fealty to Bushco and the neo-cons. (BTW, why are Kuwait and Saudi Arabia never mentioned when "talking to Iraq's neighbors" is discussed. They can't be too happy with the prospect of a radical Shiite theocracy right next door, considering that Kuwait's Shiite minority comprises 30% of its population, and Saudi's relatively small Shiite minority is concentrated in some of its most important oil producing areas.... (in other words... talks should include all of Iraq's neighbors -- including those who have the means to pay for a "peace settlement" that doesn't threaten their oligarchies) Posted by: p.lukasiak at October 29, 2006 09:54 PM | Permalink to this comment
False hopes against the imploding holocaust in Iraq and the Middle East. When you pulled that lever in the polling booth for President Bush's re-election , you just volunteered as an onward Christian soldier in the Rapture Brigade.
Of course one has to talk with the Iranians, Turks, Syrians et al. But that would be rational and result oriented. Rational and result oriented do not describe this government as we all know. Cloud Cuckoo Land might though. Posted by: Tom at October 30, 2006 02:45 AM | Permalink to this comment
As a financial person by profession in the region, and knowing Chalabi directly (but not well) and indirectly via people who worked with him directly for long periods. let me opine on Chalabi. Chalabi was not a "double agent" he was an agent for what Chalabi saw as good for Chalabi. Iran, US, wherever the butter is. That he began playing a double game when his angling for the Presidency did not pan out was to be expected. He is very good at dirty pool, brilliant even. Posted by: The Lounsbury at October 30, 2006 04:24 PM | Permalink to this comment
> Chalabi was not a "double agent" he was an agent for what Chalabi saw as good for Chalabi. I'm afraid that that is the common definition of "double agent", actually...
Double agent, my dim fool, implies he actually "worked" for the Americans. Posted by: The Lounsbury at November 1, 2006 08:42 AM | Permalink to this comment
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