What is the current influence (in Iraq) from Iran?
The Iranian influence has been very, very harmful to Iraq. There is absolutely no question that Iranians are funding, arming, training, and even in some cases, directing the activities of extremists and militia elements. It’s more than disappointing given that one would think Iran would want the first Arab-Shiite state to succeed rather than wanting apparently to contribute to continued instability and serious security challenges. The people they are arming are very, very serious thugs. Among them certainly are those who kidnapped the (five) British civilians the other day.
