Iraqi officials laid out red carpets and military bands played for the hardline president -- the first Iranian leader to visit Iraq. In front of live TV crews, Ahmadinejad held hands and exchanged kisses on the cheek with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who fondly told him to call him "Uncle Jalal."
Iran leader's Iraq visit eclipses US, Arab ties [2008]
Ahmadinejad repeatedly referred to Iraq as a "brotherly" neighbor and predicted that his visit would open a new chapter between Baghdad and Tehran.
The visit was mostly symbolic but Ahmadinejad's message to the U.S., Iraq and its Arab neighbors was bold: Iran has cemented its role as the new power player here.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
he ....and again sharply criticized the U.S. mission to stabilize the country.
Now that's what I call revisionism.
btw ISI and Pakistan are gonna go ape at the idea of Iran getting a toehold in their backyard. Except, of course, isn't Afghanistan mostly Sunni ? keep to the Fen Causeway
The Shia are concentrated in Iran, southern Iraq and southern Lebanon. But there are significant Shiite communities in Saudi Arabia and Syria, Afghanistan (Herat), Pakistan and India as well.
« click to enlarge 'The Shia Revival' © Vali Nasr
'The Shia Revival' © Vali Nasr
Pakistan's main worry is the East front with India, having removed 100,000 troops to fight the Taliban in Swat valley and South Waziristan. Also India's grip on the Karzai administration and economy in Kabul is more threatening to Pakistan. Kashmir and local terror groups in the Punjab is a destabilizing factor with India.
