Pompeo Makes Unscheduled Trip to Iraq to Press U.S. Concerns About Iran
Dog being wagged; seems someone was expecting a distraction would be needed. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/07/world/europe/pompeo-cancels-berlin.html
Pompeo Makes Unscheduled Trip to Iraq to Press U.S. Concerns About Iran
By Falih Hassan, Megan Specia and Rick Gladstone
May 7, 2019
BAGHDAD — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scrapped a visit to Germany on Tuesday to make an unannounced trip to Iraq, pressing Iraqi leaders about what he called the increased dangers to Americans there from Iran’s forces and allies.
Mr. Pompeo said he also used the four-hour visit to push what he described as Iraq’s need to avoid dependence on neighboring Iran for power supplies including electricity.
The diversion to Iraq by Mr. Pompeo, who was in the midst of a four-day European tour, added to what is an escalating American effort to ostracize Iran, which the Trump administration has sought to vilify as the chief destabilizing force in the Middle East.
There was no immediate comment from the leaders of Iran, who contend that the United States is the region’s core source of turmoil. But the increased tensions between the long-estranged countries has created fears of an armed confrontation.
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