"I hope I never lose the ability to be appalled ..."

Warning: President of ISW is Ms Kimberley Kagan, see note below. A military historian and frequent collaborator with her husband, AEI fellow Frederick Kagan, Kagan has authored numerous books, essays, and op-eds that look favorably upon long-term U.S. engagements in the "war on terror."

Today's headline from another AEI fellow: Ayan Hirsi Ali: Bibi Netanyahu deserves Nobel Peace Prize for Gaza campaign. The enemy has arrived, it's amongst us. We are our own worst enemy, similar to Netanyahu lacking courage and vision for the 21st century to make and keep Israel safe. Incitement for hatred and bombing civilian population is not the path towards peace, but leads to more war and bloodshed.

Political, religious, and military resurgence of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) since the withdrawal of U.S. forces

(ISW) - AAH is resurgent. The group represents a significant threat to U.S. interests and any U.S. presence in Iraq, given its continued record of lethal activity, its Khomeinist ideology, and its current political ascension. Moreover, the group offers a vehicle for increased Iranian influence in political and religious affairs.

During the Iraq War, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq adamantly opposed U.S. occupation. Now that the bulk of the U.S. military has withdrawn, AAH's current objectives are assessed to be:

• To maintain a friendly Shi'a-controlled Iraqi state.
  
• To eclipse the Sadrist Trend as the principal champion of Shi'a religious activism.
  
• To promote the religious and political principles of the Iranian Revolution inside and beyond Iraq.
  
• To advance Iranian political and religious influence in Iraq.
  
• To expel the remaining U.S. military and diplomatic presence from the country.

After the withdrawal of U.S. forces in December 2011, AAH announced the intention to halt armed resistance and formally join the Iraqi political process. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki facilitated this transition through outreach to Qais al-Khazali. AAH has adopted the Lebanese Hezbollah model to garner popular support.

○ Qais al-Khazali: from kidnapper and prisoner to potential leader

The leader of prime minister Nouri al-Maliki's reconciliation committee, Mohammed Suleiman, said: "Qais al-Khazali has committed no crime under Iraqi law and is welcome to play a role in public life as we welcome all groups to be part of the political process."

○ 33 Killed in Attack on Shi'ite Political Rally of AAH in Iraq

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An explosion is seen during a car bomb attack at a Shi'ite political organization's rally in Baghdad, Iraq, April 25, 2014 (Reuters)

About the ISW: Kimberly Kagan has been a close adviser to U.S. generals serving in recent U.S. wars. These relationships have drawn scrutiny, particularly the relationship Kagan and her husband Fred had with General Petraeus. According to a December 2012 Washington Post investigation, the Kagans visited Afghanistan repeatedly and extensively throughout Petraeus' tenure there, during which time they received extraordinary accommodations for civilian visitors--including near round-the-clock access to military and intelligence officials, top-level security clearance, and priority travel to anywhere in the country, as well as desks and military email accounts. In return, the Kagans advised Petraeus and penned supportive op-eds about the general and the war effort when they periodically returned home  [Source: Right-Web]