Iran has won the Iraq War

[carincross]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/072105L.shtml
The Iraq War is Over, and the Winner Is... Iran By Juan Cole

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/arianna-huffington/iraq-the-war-we-are-not-_4462.html
Iraq: The War We Are Not Being Shown Arianna Huffington

http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=7/19/2005&Cat=2&Num=010
Iran seeks independent, secure Iraq: leader (from the Tehran Times)

Once again the MSM (mainstream media) is not doing its job. Since we invaded Iraq 2 ½ years ago the reason for the invasion has morphed from protecting the US from WMD attack to building a democratic Iraq that will transform the Middle East. The MSM was quick to report on the amazing January election and the formation of an elected government that is working on a new Constitution. What is not being reported, at least in the US, is the growing ties between the Shiite dominated government of Iraq and Shiite controlled Iran.

Did you know that Iraq Prime Minister al-Jaafari and eight cabinet members visited Iran this week and worked out a number of deals with Iran? The agreements include not only matters such as trade, pilgrimages, common border security, and port access. It also includes the building of oil pipelines and refineries. It even includes revising Iraqi civil rights and judicial systems to conform to the Shiite Islamic-based system in effect in Iran.

I have posted URLs on three articles that help explain the current agreement. After reading these articles the questions must be asked: Have we promulgated a war that has cost us over 1,750 dead, over 10,000 seriously wounded, at a cost of well over $200B so that Iran, an ‘axis of evil’ member, can expand and consolidate its control of the area? Have we been betrayed by MSM silence? Does the Congress know what is happening in Iraq and Iran?

[whistle]

1. Now that's turning a corner

[cynatnite]

2. Iraq's new constitution could erode women's rights

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-07-20-iraq-draft-women_x.htm

BAGHDAD (AP) — Shiite members of the committee drafting Iraq's new constitution are pushing for a greater role for Islam in civil law, members said Wednesday, a proposal that could erode women's rights in such matters as marriage, divorce and inheritance. Meanwhile, the head of the subcommittee drafting the constitution said a draft will be submitted to the full 71-member committee within two days.

"It will be an initial draft," Humam Hammoudi said. "We can say that we will abide by the specific date that ends on Aug. 1 without a need to extend."

Although the constitution has to be completed by Aug. 15, the first two weeks of next month will be for the parliament to discuss the document, he said.

Mariam al-Rayyes, a female Shiite Muslim member of the drafting committee, said Islam will be a "main source" for legislation in the constitution and the state religion.

*********

bush won't care as long as he gets his oil :grr:

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Everyone always sacrificies us women

We really don't mean that much to these people, do we? Obviously not. *sigh* Also once on Malloy's show he was talking about their Constiution and in it he said that people won't be able to sue corporations (such as Halliburton).

[leveymg]

3. That was my very thought six weeks ago

http://www.selvesandothers.org/article9746.html
DemocraticUnderground.com
Did Iran Win the Second US-Iraq War by Default?
FBI Bust May Have Prevented War With Iran

Thursday 2nd June 2005, by Mark Levey


AT this point, 1 June 2005, it is clear that both the US and Iraq have come out the losers. Who does that leave to reap the rewards?

Initially, it looked like Israel — at least Likud, and the other right-wing parties — was going to be the big winner, having manipulated its slow-witted Big Uncle to get rid of Saddam at no cost to itself. Until recent weeks, it even appeared likely that BushCo was going to be prodded into making another giant blunder, and would be pushed into bombing Iranian nuclear and missile sites or, at least, enabling the Israel Air Force to do so. Somehow, the prospects of that, and the risk of a general Middle East war, seem to be receding.

Prospects of war receding? Allow me to say that the rush toward war appears to have slowed. For one, those most directly involved in the OSP-AIPAC scandal and prosecutions are all Iran specialists. With the recent indictment of Larry Franklin (Feith’s Iran desk officer) and moves toward prosecution of AIPAC’s Iran expert, Keith Weissman, and the sudden flight back home of their handler at the Israeli Embassy (Naor Gilon, also an Iran specialist), the FBI seems to have rolled up the principal operational officers in the neocon Iran war party.

Another is the stiff resistance which the Bolton nomination has met in the Senate, and the fact that it is also opposed by some very powerful figures in the Administration, the Pentagon, and the intelligence community. Bolton has been one of the loudest voices in the lead up to hostilities with Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons program. It was thought that he would lead the charge at the UN later this month. Instead, Bolton has had the door closed on his face by nervous Senators, and there seems to be an eerie lull in the campaign to sanction Tehran.

Then, last week, the Europeans on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed to continue talks with Iran over its nascent fuel enrichment program, rather than referring the matter to the UN Security Council for sanctions, as had been threatened.

Finally, unlike last year, George W. Bush did not show up in person to applaud Ariel Sharon’s performance at the annual AIPAC pep rally at the Washington Convention Center last weekend. In fact, after the two met at the Crawford ranch a couple weeks ago, both Ariel and W emerged looking like they had drained each other’s blood. This was in marked contrast to the sprightly prance through the Texas bluebells that Bush took just a few days later with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah.

There is no doubt that Iran is emerging stronger and more secure in itself and its neighborhood after the BushCo neocons and Likud so overplayed their hands in Iraq. There will be hell to pay for their strategic blunder, and it appears that the next round of blood-letting may be within the corridors of power in Washington and Jerusalem, rather than along the East Coast of the Persian Gulf.
By the same authors
Mark Levey
Perjury by CIA Counterterrorism Center Director
Sharon’s Green Light

[wli]

4. doubtless Ghorbanifar had something to do with this

Good old Iranian double agents. I'm sure the false intelligence he supplied has nothing to do with this.

[katinmn]

5. "Does the Congress know what is happening in Iraq and Iran?"

Sadly, no. And those few that do, don't care.

We are better informed than Congress because we look beyond NYT and WaPo political coverage for news.

[leftchick]

6. I realized this a few weeks ago

don't look for the Corporate owned media to talk about this any time soon. Or anyone in congress. This isn't Vietnam. It is going to be worse when it is all over many years from now. :(

Welcome to DU carincross.

[Inland]

7. I thought Halliburton had won. And Chalabi. nt

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Of course they know

To think other wise is silly. Nobody is vocal about it because Bush doesn't get to play with his GI Joe toys or parade around in some new military outfit for an occassion and be seen as a "hero" and all that other nonsense. Of course they're trading with Iran and with us as well. In this case follow the oil.

[FreedomAngel82]

10. I think in this though

Halliburton will still be somewhere. Iraq is making deals with Iran who inturned made deals with Halliburton.