During Iraq Visit, Ahmadinejad Says That US Influence Is Weakening

While saying that the US’ power is weakening in Iraq, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tried to set him up as a partner to the country’s current government that is currently dominated by the Shiite Arab Muslims. In an interesting twist, officials from the United States got to witness the show that Ahmadinejad had put on. They were at the front as they witnessed Iran’s president talk about how US power is weakening in the country.

He would also highlight how the influence of Iran’s Shiites is growing stronger in Iraq and said that it would have special ties to the Shiites of Iraq. It would look as if Ahmadinejad is using the Shiites of both Iraq and Iran to portray himself as a life partner to the region.

However, the United States government is determining whether or not the visit from Iran’s president will play a more apparent role in stabilizing Iraq. While the violence looks to be dropping, there is still a presence of Al-Qaeda. In a recent article on CNN, Al-Qaeda operatives have killed their fellow militant Sunnis for not being loyal enough.

There is also the incident with Turkey and the PKK where it could possibly destabilize northern Iraq which is occupied by the Kurds.

“Iraq and Iran having been deadly enemies, and (Ahmadinejad’s visit) shows they have turned a page,” said James Dobbins. Dobbins is currently an analyst for the Rand Corporation. He was also a former United States diplomat.

Also, Ahmadinejad has blamed the United States for allowing terrorism to take place in Iraq. He has called for the US to remove all forces from the country.

“The presence of foreigners in the region has been to the detriment to the nations of the region,” Ahmadinejad said criticizing the US during a conference. He added: “It is nothing but a humiliation to the regional nations.”

In the case of Iran, the United Nations Security Council has given approval to place a third round of trade sanctions on the country. This is in regards to the refusal to suspend its nuclear program.

However, Ahmadinejad’s visit brought protests from the Sunnis in Iraq.