IRAN....IRAQ AND THE ENDLESS “PERCEPTION” PROBLEMS FOR THE WEST.

All the talk today seemed to center around the US “talking” with Iran over the crisis in Iraq.

Would that “talk” include the sharing of military operational issues?

I find that highly unlikely.

So, what would these “talks” truly center on?

Assurances the Persians will not totally exploit the situation to their own advantage?

Some in the US Department of State are most likely naive enough to believe such a commitment could be achieved, but I can assure you this level of conversation would come at a price the US may not understand.

What has been the number one concern with the GCC for the past three years when the Western partnership is mentioned?

If you guessed, the concept of “commitment”, you win the prize.

The phone rings in Riyadh and the conversation becomes, “the US is going to ‘talk’ to the Iranians over Iraq”!

“What are they going to talk about”?

“What are they going to tell us they are talking about”?

“Is that really what is taking place”?

If this conversation was taking place without the damage of the past few years, the strength of the ties might keep this event inside the world of the doable!

But, that is not the case and I have to wonder if anyone stopped to think what is the impact of yet another round of US / Iranian  “talks” and how would the GCC perceive the event?

Will the US / West / gain anything from “talking” to the Iranians?

Could it be the “talks” are a warning to not overextend the Persian response?

Given the status of the West / US / in the region, would the Persians even pay attention to such a message?

And, here goes another “what if”!

What if the strategy, one I would have trouble giving the West credit for, was to set up second front for Iranian forces?

Would the US risk the image of over ten years of conflict lost for the sake of letting the Iranians decide the fate of Iraq?

Just what is it the US and the Iranians are talking about?

Those in the area want to know and more importantly they want to believe whatever is discussed will not bring them harm.

Ok, will the Iranians openly deploy into the Iraq?

No…..at least not yet…..

Who would appose this event?

The GCC?

The West?

The Tsar?

I’ll give you a hint.

He commanded the Mehdi Army Miltia!!!!!

Yep….

I will give my reasons for believing this tomorrow.