Wow what an interesting article. It is so difficult for anyone outside of the geographical or mindset landscapes of those parts of the world to understand what and why. And perhaps to emphasise that any backing for any group is likely to turn on you. Seven headed hydra.
Barack Obama went out of his way to make a so called 'landmark agreement' with Iran, the biggest exporter of terrorism in the region and around the world. Forcing refugees to fight for the bloody Assad regime showcases Iranian cynicism and abuse of human rights. Our posture towards the Iranians should have been confrontational rhetorically and militarily, in order to communicate that the US counts the Middle East as our sphere of influence and power and we will not cede it to the Mullahs. It was delusional to believe that Iranian 'bad behavior' could be separated from the 'nuclear issue.' This reasoning sounds like Chamberlain carving up Czechoslovakia and calling it 'peace in our time.' The fate of Czechoslovakia was no less related to the fate of all Europe than is the Iranian nuclear program to the fate of the Middle East. Obama's nuclear policy has unleashed a Darwinian struggle for survival amongst Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. States like Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, and the gulf states are stuck in the middle. This was only made worse by Obama systematically supporting the Muslim brothers and the Iranian Mullahs against Mubarak (and later Sisi) and the Saudis. Betraying our allies in the region has dealt a terrible blow to American credibility, from which we are unlikely to recover. Simply put, after 8 years of Obama, America no longer counts in the Middle East.
1
8 years and Obama is to blame. The previous Admins all the way back to Truman had nothing to do with it? Huh.
The US has been trying to herd cats in the ME for decades. Playing one regime off another, an ally one year, sworn enemies the next. Sinking money and arms into every hole we thought it could patch. All while paying billions to Saudi Arabia, to keep a lid on their Wahhabi hornets...who turned around and attacked us on our own soil. Ooops.
And its Obama who messed it up?
In the scheme of things, in the costs to US for 40+ years, and our alleged allies shrugging their shoulders at the extremism they allowed to foment - the Iran deal was akin to us running up to our allies and messing their hair.
The US has been trying to herd cats in the ME for decades. Playing one regime off another, an ally one year, sworn enemies the next. Sinking money and arms into every hole we thought it could patch. All while paying billions to Saudi Arabia, to keep a lid on their Wahhabi hornets...who turned around and attacked us on our own soil. Ooops.
And its Obama who messed it up?
In the scheme of things, in the costs to US for 40+ years, and our alleged allies shrugging their shoulders at the extremism they allowed to foment - the Iran deal was akin to us running up to our allies and messing their hair.
1
Correction: the USA is the biggest supporter of terrorism ....witness the terrorism conducted in South and Central America, Vietnam, and Gaza.
2
IRAN Is now using Afghan conscripts into the military by paying for cannon fodder. The Iranian religious leadership is interested in protecting holy sites. Along with that, they want to continue to fight proxy wars in as many countries in the Mideast as possible. Perhaps Saudi Arabia will move away from paying for proxy wars by purchasing suicide bombers. But the Iranians look all too ready to occupy any power vacuum the Saudis or others leave behind. Meanwhile the cradle of civilization is being reduced to rubble.
Canon fodder.
From time immemorial old men have coerced young men into fighting the old men's battles, using claims of fighting for the greater good or some vile form of coercion, eg, the NKVD troops who shot anyone who deserted from the Red Army in WW2 -- "There are no Soviet prisoners of war, only traitors", Joseph Stalin.
From time immemorial old men have coerced young men into fighting the old men's battles, using claims of fighting for the greater good or some vile form of coercion, eg, the NKVD troops who shot anyone who deserted from the Red Army in WW2 -- "There are no Soviet prisoners of war, only traitors", Joseph Stalin.
This piece is labeled "Opinion" yet the headline is certainly inciting as if it's news and the description of the author is that he's a "journalist." If it's opinion why the headline? Why should the author be believed that this article is accurate, with no political agenda of its own? Is the NYTimes merely giving its support to the US government's allegations about Iran in what is clearly a muddled policy toward Syria's civil war and Assad? I'm skeptical because of the NYTimes and other corporate media's documented history of being echo chambers for the conventional D.C. "wisdom", especially in US foreign policy.
3
At last the nytimes write a piece critical of Iran, but many readers cannot accept it, and still see us as the evils. Some of the leftists readers are making me paranoid....
How they did it. Because the Western alliances, led by the US, invaded to run out some desperadoes, failed in another quick-fix Nation-build, poured billions into a corrupt regime of Brothers, one of which duped the Bush Admin into appointing him as President.
Then distracted by a bigger mirage, invaded Iraq, where we were to be greeted with open arms and honey - where more billions were spent, much of it pallets of cash that miraculously disappeared, which to date no one, or groups have been held accountable. Where any semblance of structure and order was quickly gutted, and chaos reigned supreme.
In the short time of 2-3 years the mostly US led invasion of two disparate nations, one that has suffered from invaders for centuries, the last of which The Soviet Union was sent a pack'n...thanks to a US coalition of arms dealers and a few Senators. The other one that was held in tight control by a megalomaniac despot, and once ally to the US, and his psychotic sons, backed by a Guard Force of socio-paths. In that short time we managed to gut and try to reassemble in "our image", two nations that most Americans still can not locate on a map, under quiz show pressure time.
No idea how Iran came along and exploited large numbers of unemployed, displaced, disenfranchised,radicalized, uber-religious, young, often barely teen, impressionable males. With a whole lot of time and poverty on their hands. No idea.
Then distracted by a bigger mirage, invaded Iraq, where we were to be greeted with open arms and honey - where more billions were spent, much of it pallets of cash that miraculously disappeared, which to date no one, or groups have been held accountable. Where any semblance of structure and order was quickly gutted, and chaos reigned supreme.
In the short time of 2-3 years the mostly US led invasion of two disparate nations, one that has suffered from invaders for centuries, the last of which The Soviet Union was sent a pack'n...thanks to a US coalition of arms dealers and a few Senators. The other one that was held in tight control by a megalomaniac despot, and once ally to the US, and his psychotic sons, backed by a Guard Force of socio-paths. In that short time we managed to gut and try to reassemble in "our image", two nations that most Americans still can not locate on a map, under quiz show pressure time.
No idea how Iran came along and exploited large numbers of unemployed, displaced, disenfranchised,radicalized, uber-religious, young, often barely teen, impressionable males. With a whole lot of time and poverty on their hands. No idea.
7
Does we also have a program , for many years now, of giving green card to poor migrants if they volunteer to serve in the army ?
Is Iran copying US program ?
Is Iran copying US program ?
7
Thanks to the US failing policy towards the Middle East, terrorism has become an increasingly unbearable problem in the world.
The US unilateral support for Israel and lack of action agains the expansion of illegal settlement, in addition to unjustified war on Iraq which became one of the most expensive wars the US has ever had, strengthen Al Qaeda and led to raise of ISIS.
In reality, we lost the war in Syria. Russians were able to secure the region. There is a recent report that many Syrian refugees are going back to their home country. We made Syria unsafe for people and caused human suffering, while Russians and obviously Iranians brought stability to Syria. Attacking Iranians and Russian forces by the US is just desperate efforts to regain what we have lost thanks to our own policies and mismanagements.
The US unilateral support for Israel and lack of action agains the expansion of illegal settlement, in addition to unjustified war on Iraq which became one of the most expensive wars the US has ever had, strengthen Al Qaeda and led to raise of ISIS.
In reality, we lost the war in Syria. Russians were able to secure the region. There is a recent report that many Syrian refugees are going back to their home country. We made Syria unsafe for people and caused human suffering, while Russians and obviously Iranians brought stability to Syria. Attacking Iranians and Russian forces by the US is just desperate efforts to regain what we have lost thanks to our own policies and mismanagements.
14
What does it have to do with Israel? again blaming Israel for the sins of others? ridiculous !
Shocking critique on the war in Syria.For some strange reasons, the liberal western media does everything to side with the Saudi backed Wahabbists.In my home country of Canada, anything critical of Sunni Jihadism is equated with Islamophobia.So, our pander politicians placate Islamists, even after big terror attacks.Two weeks back, a Canadian Islamist travelled to US to stab a police officer.Instead of condemning the act, Canadian politicians were seen on TV speaking about the virtues of the " religion of peace " and about how "violence is incompatible with Islam ".Sunni citizens from all over the world have converged in Syria to destroy the Shias.However, if the Shias, the weaker sect, takes steps of self-preservation, it triggers the left wing western media into discomfort.If Iran asks Afghan refugees to fight in Syria, it should be praised.A weaker group taking up a fight for life against bigger, vicious enemy is praiseworthy.How many such examples are there in modern history ? I salute everyone fighting the devil in Syria.Iran, Assad and Canadian citizens like Nazzareno Tassone are the objects of my respect.The west, including Canada and USA should follow suit, else the very existence of Judeo-Christian civilisation will be at stake.
BTW, Christianity is being systematically obliterated from its birthplace, during the very same time when western politicians are pandering to Wahabbists in the west.Will NYT bother about the death to Christianity inflicted by ISIS ?
BTW, Christianity is being systematically obliterated from its birthplace, during the very same time when western politicians are pandering to Wahabbists in the west.Will NYT bother about the death to Christianity inflicted by ISIS ?
9
get rid of all religion and solve all lot of problems!
Iran is not doing anything that most countries in the world did not / are doing i.e. non-citizens joining the army and fighting for the country. In return at the end of your stint, they are given citizenship and the right to stay. It is far better than staying in Afghanistan where they have little opportunity for work and their fate in the hands of the Taliban. It is certainly better than Trumps' closed door policy, with the West still waging war in their country, despite the death of Osama Bin Laden. The Afghans know full well, a country divided as theirs is, will never prosper and certainly they would not like another Muslim country to end up like theirs.
9
I am glad he survived. What a tough choice for a young man. We do the same thing promising citizenship to aliens who serve in the military. The poor served in the British Army and Navy while creating their Empire. For a young person from poverty it looks like risking ones life is worth taking given the alternative. This is as much about survival as religion and politics.
6
There is another reason Iran supports the Assad regime, religion. Assad is an Alawi. The Alawis are a sub-sect of Shiite Islam, and are often called Alawi-Shia. Whereas Sunnis regard them as infidels or heretics, Shiite Islam accepts them as part of the Islamic world.
For centuries the Alawis were a downtrodden and despised minority in their Sunni dominated world. Under French rule (Syria was under a French mandate 1920-1946) they prospered, as France, like all imperial powers, empowered minorities to effectively implement divide and rule policies. The Alawites became a major force in the French colonial Syrian gendarmerie, and afterwards the Syrian army. In 1970 Bashar's father Hafez el Assad, who was then commander of the Syrian air force, deposed the president in a coup. Since then the once despised minority has ruled Syria with an iron hand.
For centuries the Alawis were a downtrodden and despised minority in their Sunni dominated world. Under French rule (Syria was under a French mandate 1920-1946) they prospered, as France, like all imperial powers, empowered minorities to effectively implement divide and rule policies. The Alawites became a major force in the French colonial Syrian gendarmerie, and afterwards the Syrian army. In 1970 Bashar's father Hafez el Assad, who was then commander of the Syrian air force, deposed the president in a coup. Since then the once despised minority has ruled Syria with an iron hand.
6
For Iran, having a loyal Afghan militia may serve a longer-term purpose beyond Syria. It serves the interests of the IRGC to train Shia Afghans who later can fight the Taliban or other Sunni groups on Afghan soil after United States military withdrawal from that country.
2
Mr. Assad war, Mr. Assad military, Mr. Assad forces...How would this article read if Mr. Assad was replaced by Syria or Syrian? But no, the NYT wants us to view this devastating war on Syria purely in terms of an "evil dictator" lashing out and abusing his own people and those of other nations. Ignoring the fact that Syria and Iran have enjoyed the longest standing alliance, predating the Iran-Iraq war by at least six years.
14
that's how the government through our compliant media shape/brainwash the gullible. demonize your target so it's acceptable to do whatever we have in store to them.
remember the led up to Iraq invasion? 'mushroom cloud' and 'we fight them over there so we wont fight them over here'. marketing or selling the war to the public.
remember the led up to Iraq invasion? 'mushroom cloud' and 'we fight them over there so we wont fight them over here'. marketing or selling the war to the public.
1
psy op or brainwash however you want to call it.
we demonized saddam Hussein before we overthrew the Iraqi government and then destroyed the country. we demonized khaddafi before we bombed Libya back to the stone age. we demonized assad, putin, and xi constantly. it makes one feel less guilty if we were to destroy those countries.
we demonized saddam Hussein before we overthrew the Iraqi government and then destroyed the country. we demonized khaddafi before we bombed Libya back to the stone age. we demonized assad, putin, and xi constantly. it makes one feel less guilty if we were to destroy those countries.
1
February, 2015 Around 20,000 Jihadists from approx. 90 countries have gone to Syria to join terrorists to overthrow Syria's president, Assad. This was in Feb. 2015. And this was the time our "coalition" was supposedly bombing ISIS (even though ISIS seemed to be gaining ground at the time.) Russia did not get involved in Syria until around Sept. 2015.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ap-20000-foreign-fighters-flock-to-syria-ira...
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ap-20000-foreign-fighters-flock-to-syria-ira...
2
Again Iran shows us how it's done. My country lets Afghan refugees live on welfare and many of them show their gratitude by groping under-age girls in our swimming-pools in such numbers that this year there are basically no unaccompanied girls in public baths anymore.
9
As an Iranians I do not see anything wrong with what my government is doing. No one forced Afghans to come illegally to Iran, it is Afghan or other so called civilized nations job to help poor Afghans find jobs in their own country. Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan are in our backyard and we have every right to be and control our backyard!
Who gave US any right to be in our backyard? US did not like Soviets to be in Cuba in 60's, we once owned all of these lands, do not like any foreign power in our backyard.
It is safer if US stays in its own backyard and let Iran take care of its security in its neighborhood!!
Do you see any Iranians, Russians, or Chinese in American backyard? Do you like them to be there? We too do not like foreigners in or around country.
Who gave US any right to be in our backyard? US did not like Soviets to be in Cuba in 60's, we once owned all of these lands, do not like any foreign power in our backyard.
It is safer if US stays in its own backyard and let Iran take care of its security in its neighborhood!!
Do you see any Iranians, Russians, or Chinese in American backyard? Do you like them to be there? We too do not like foreigners in or around country.
19
u must be kidding I agree U.S should stay out of others backyard but than again so should IRAN
Then who is going to fight ISIS?
In a perfect world you are right, but we do not live in a perfect world!
In a perfect world you are right, but we do not live in a perfect world!
1
On a daily basis the NY Times is filled with articles berating Saudi Arabia's leaders for trying to temper the Iranian ayatollahs' ambitions to spread discord across the Middle East.
For once, finally, someone actually writes an opinion piece critical of those ayatollahs and Iran's apologists rush out of the woodwork on masse to leave their comments.
Folks, there are no "good guys" or "bad guys" in this situation. It's all a mess based on a feud dating back to the late 600s between warring branches of a desert clan, and we would do well to keep them all well beyond arms distance.
For once, finally, someone actually writes an opinion piece critical of those ayatollahs and Iran's apologists rush out of the woodwork on masse to leave their comments.
Folks, there are no "good guys" or "bad guys" in this situation. It's all a mess based on a feud dating back to the late 600s between warring branches of a desert clan, and we would do well to keep them all well beyond arms distance.
5
I suppose these young afghan men are no different than the american young men who have joined the military and go abroad to fight somewhere.
12
About 12,000 Hessians (German soldiers) were paid to fight in the American Revolutionary War, mainly on the British side, but also for the Americans. Most of those who survived became colonists--which apparently their main objective, rather than to help either side win.
It seems hypocritical to fault the Iranians for using an ancient and tried and true method of forming an army.
It seems hypocritical to fault the Iranians for using an ancient and tried and true method of forming an army.
19
So what if Iran gives Afghan illegals permanent residency in return for fighting in Syria? The U.S. does the same to any illegal willing to join the armed forces snd fight America's wars. The American military is full of illegal and wanna-be-residents from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador.
13
Bwca
so the US does it too.
Good to have the life and death issue of the day reduced to The U s does it too.
Thanks.
The world is now a better place.
so the US does it too.
Good to have the life and death issue of the day reduced to The U s does it too.
Thanks.
The world is now a better place.
Article should have mentioned that Afghanistan and Pakistan are both heavily majority Sunni countries, allied with Saudi Arabia in the almost a millennium and a half battle between Sunni/Shia in Islam. If Afghanis are leaving their country to fight in Syria at Iran's bequest, those folks represent Trojan Horses should they return home. As if Afghanistan doesn't have enough problems with their homegrown Sunni Taliban and al-Qaeda factions!
It's all rather confusing keeping track of each Muslim country's demographics. Iraq was Shia majority but ruled by despotic Saddam Hussein, who was Sunni. In Syria, they're majority Sunni but were ruled by the despotic Alawite (subsect of Shia) Assads.
This is why there will never be a lasting peace in the Arab/Muslim world. Most of the countries aren't homogenous when it comes to Shia/Sunni populations. Since the modern world has acclimatized them to radicalization, weaponry, and violence, each country represents a potential civil war quietly cooking on the stove. Turn up the heat a bit or add some spices to the stew and it boils over. Meanwhile, supposedly rational folks frequently buy into the propaganda that if Israel didn't exist, everything in the Arab/Muslim world would just be peaches and cream.
It's all rather confusing keeping track of each Muslim country's demographics. Iraq was Shia majority but ruled by despotic Saddam Hussein, who was Sunni. In Syria, they're majority Sunni but were ruled by the despotic Alawite (subsect of Shia) Assads.
This is why there will never be a lasting peace in the Arab/Muslim world. Most of the countries aren't homogenous when it comes to Shia/Sunni populations. Since the modern world has acclimatized them to radicalization, weaponry, and violence, each country represents a potential civil war quietly cooking on the stove. Turn up the heat a bit or add some spices to the stew and it boils over. Meanwhile, supposedly rational folks frequently buy into the propaganda that if Israel didn't exist, everything in the Arab/Muslim world would just be peaches and cream.
6
The reporter compromised Mr. Amin's safety by identifying him in this story. I hope the Iranian recruit does not return to that country. If so he might find deportation a desirous alternative.
5
I strongly believe that the Iran Deal, reached by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (plus Germany)(plus the EU), was a big success for America, and for Humanity. Finally, we lifted off of our heads, the nightmarish cloud of a war with Iran.
We learned also, that with or without our sanctions, they were surviving just fine.
So, why are we still so critical and provocative with them? I do not understand it.
Obviously, I hear Netanyahu every possible time criticizing Iran. But I do not understand why a foreign-nation-leader has to be payed attention, by our society. After all, The Peace between Palestinians and Israelis does not happen--must be two to tango, it is not only the Palestinians the reason--and Netanyahu has his fault too.
Please, let Iran alone. As our beloved United States of America have every right to develop as a nation, Iran has every right to develop as a nation.
We learned also, that with or without our sanctions, they were surviving just fine.
So, why are we still so critical and provocative with them? I do not understand it.
Obviously, I hear Netanyahu every possible time criticizing Iran. But I do not understand why a foreign-nation-leader has to be payed attention, by our society. After all, The Peace between Palestinians and Israelis does not happen--must be two to tango, it is not only the Palestinians the reason--and Netanyahu has his fault too.
Please, let Iran alone. As our beloved United States of America have every right to develop as a nation, Iran has every right to develop as a nation.
14
the military industrial complex always need an enemy or adversaries to justify its existence. we would create one if none exists.
the military industrial complex is like a parasite that would one day consume its host.
the military industrial complex is like a parasite that would one day consume its host.
1
Deception recruiting of the under-educated is a strategy used not only in Iran, but in many Western nations, including the USA.
15
Whether in Afghanistan or Syria, their lot would be the same: fighting in conflicts that started long before and will continue long after, where war is not necessarily waged for the purpose of ultimate victory but for transitory advantage. Whom to point the rifle at can become a surprisingly trivial matter.
3
The major religions of the world will be the destruction of us all.
11
Phyllis,
It's not the religion that gives millions comfort, it's the people that misuse it & take it literally.
It's not the religion that gives millions comfort, it's the people that misuse it & take it literally.
5
Phyllis I agree 100% , Imagine how the world might be if the faiths emanating from the Middle East had not existed.
The least of the least always lose in a war, the winners don't die! When you roll the dice, you take a chance, some win, most lose!
3
600 killed?
As of October 18th, 2016, there have been 2,386 U.S. military deaths in the War in Afghanistan, four times (4x) those Afghans killed in Syria. As of June 29, 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Defense casualty website, there were another 4,424 total deaths in Iraq, over seven (7x) times. Total is eleven times (11x) Americans killed in the neocon wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those numbers are a year old.
Those Americans were all volunteers too. They included quite a few driven by economic circumstances. They included quite a few offered US citizenship in return for service.
As of October 18th, 2016, there have been 2,386 U.S. military deaths in the War in Afghanistan, four times (4x) those Afghans killed in Syria. As of June 29, 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Defense casualty website, there were another 4,424 total deaths in Iraq, over seven (7x) times. Total is eleven times (11x) Americans killed in the neocon wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those numbers are a year old.
Those Americans were all volunteers too. They included quite a few driven by economic circumstances. They included quite a few offered US citizenship in return for service.
30
Mark Thomason,,
Are our military sons and daughters going to again be ordered to go on constant patrol as targets for the Islamic people to kill and maim without any penalty being inflicted by the USA onto the local Muslim people when they kill and maim US servicemen and servicewomen?
Are we going to once again order our military to not shoot back at the local Muslim civilians who are killing and maiming our military sons and daughters?
If there is no penalty, why then should the local Islamic believers stop killing and maiming our US military sons and daughters!
Are our military sons and daughters going to again be ordered to go on constant patrol as targets for the Islamic people to kill and maim without any penalty being inflicted by the USA onto the local Muslim people when they kill and maim US servicemen and servicewomen?
Are we going to once again order our military to not shoot back at the local Muslim civilians who are killing and maiming our military sons and daughters?
If there is no penalty, why then should the local Islamic believers stop killing and maiming our US military sons and daughters!
I do not believe your figures include those killed in the employ of Private Military Contractors contracted by the U.S.
4
Mark,
It has always been our policy to destroy our enemies on their territory, than wait until they come here. Having said that, you have to know when the situation is out of control & leave.We should have been out of there years ago.
It has always been our policy to destroy our enemies on their territory, than wait until they come here. Having said that, you have to know when the situation is out of control & leave.We should have been out of there years ago.
5
Are any of the issues mentioned in this article, real from any perspective, worth loss of life? How can the energy of war be changed into the facilitation of life? Are we forever destined to write the future by the past metaphors or war and limited resource thinking, rather than enjoy the better world mankind has the ability to create. Where is the charismatic leader to change all this; since, logic certainly fails.
4
I wonder what was planned to be sold in that store over the mosque? Sort of like setting up a porno shop in the nave at Norte Dame? That would no doubt evoke a equally violent reaction. Say, what about that guy who just smashed the Ten Commandments in Arkansas with his old car? With every religion comes begging one more sacred cow to slight. It takes a good pair of rubber boots to walk though a cow pasture these days.
2
If this article is intended to gin up anti-iranian support among Americans, forget it. We have made enough messes in that region to take us into the next century. We have spent our treasure and never gotten one thing in return. OUR infrastructure is near destruction; our citizens are fat, unhealthy and drug-addicted or addled out of proportion to the rest of the world; many are poorly educated and let the christian version of "the 3 great religions" 10th century tenets rule their lives. How about this: who cares? The middle east mans nothing to us, except perhaps Israel where there is some sort ofmaorality in play.
14
"Once upon a time, in a far distant country."
2
Assad couldn't handle the uprising against him so, Iran, with a bigger interest than just letting Assad keep his head, brought in Hezbollah. Since Iranian and Syrian troops, along with Hezbollah, still couldn't manage the situation, Afghans got added to the equation. Still, the situation didn't improve for Iran/Assad. Russia then came to the rescue with airpower and their own mercenary troops. That was the change that counted.
While Iran plays the sectarian card - Sunni vs Shia - to keep the cannon fodder motivated, geo-political reasons keep the fires burning. The so-called Shia crescent gives Iran influence in the region between Tehran and Beirut. Hezbollah is strictly a buffer zone to counter Israël in any Israeli - Iranian war. The Russians also want influence in the region and secure naval facilities in the eastern Med to counter the US Med fleet.
Feel sorry for the Afghans sucked into this but between misery in Afghanistan and a chance for a residence permit in Iran, so why not?
While Iran plays the sectarian card - Sunni vs Shia - to keep the cannon fodder motivated, geo-political reasons keep the fires burning. The so-called Shia crescent gives Iran influence in the region between Tehran and Beirut. Hezbollah is strictly a buffer zone to counter Israël in any Israeli - Iranian war. The Russians also want influence in the region and secure naval facilities in the eastern Med to counter the US Med fleet.
Feel sorry for the Afghans sucked into this but between misery in Afghanistan and a chance for a residence permit in Iran, so why not?
4
I don't suppose the "rebels" obtained support from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Uncle Sam, Turkey and Israel, plus ISIS, of course.
So doesn't sound much different than how we treat Mexicans here. In fact we're actively deporting Mexicans who are veterans of our armed forces.
20
Perhaps the U.S. should follow the same model for undocumented immigrants? If they want to remain here- then fight ISIS for two years and if they survive- they'll be given a green card.. We should also empty our overcrowded prison population as well- send the worst of the worst on a one-way ticket to the Middle East hot spots and let them run amok over there. Iran is always referring the U.S. as the Great Satan- so let's show them what we really have.. Let hardened American criminals and gang-bangers set up drug labs and other nefarious enterprises over there and let THEIR domestic services deal with the problem.
2
The US recruits immigrants and minorities to fight its wars, yet they still struggle to have basic civil right in their own country. The military has also been gradually relying more and more on "contractors" that recruit poor people from third world countries as mercenaries. What Iran is doing here is relatively minor in comparison.
20
We don't publish the numbers for contractors sent. We don't publish the numbers for contractors killed. That is a big part of why we use contractors -- it makes the cost of war invisible to Americans.
12
I can readily understand why Afghani’s would jump at the chance to raise their incomes from $25.00 to $800.00 & volunteer to fight, what they didn’t know was they were to be Cannon Fodder.This illustrates the tyrannical mentality of the Mullahs, who justify murder under the guise of religion. What this comes down to is Iran’s policy of extending Shia dominance over the region,that includes Syria,Iraq, Afghanistan & Lebanon, which explains their hostility towards Israel which is a blot on their plan of expansion. This is the fanatical religious outlook that the United States & Israel are up against .
2
The Hazara Shi'a of Afghanistan face terrible discrimination by the majority Sunnis in Afghanistan, a situation that has been memorialized in popular novels such as *The Kite Runner.* The Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS all encourage murdering these and other Shi'a groups as a sacred duty to combat "blasphemy." So quite aside from the value Hazara Afghan fighters might have for Iran's battles against ISIS, the battle is very much a battle for the Hazara. ISIS has attacked sacred Shi'a shrines throughout the Middle East, not only in Syria but also in Samara in Northern Iraq. If ISIS were to gain the upper hand, Shi'a throughout the region (including the Alavis--the sect of the Assad family) would be slaughtered en masse.
The United States has long recruited soldiers from emigrant communities, promising them citizenship after a term serving in the army. Iran is essentially doing the same thing, and there is no deception here. The Afghan Shi'a are in danger in their own country. They would be in danger if the Taliban or ISIS were to be victorious, and they have strong emotional and religious ties to the Shi'a shrines in Iraq and Syria. In the end it is their choice whether to enter the fray, but given other choices, it seems like an absolutely reasonable proposition for them.
The United States has long recruited soldiers from emigrant communities, promising them citizenship after a term serving in the army. Iran is essentially doing the same thing, and there is no deception here. The Afghan Shi'a are in danger in their own country. They would be in danger if the Taliban or ISIS were to be victorious, and they have strong emotional and religious ties to the Shi'a shrines in Iraq and Syria. In the end it is their choice whether to enter the fray, but given other choices, it seems like an absolutely reasonable proposition for them.
36
President William McKinley signed an executive order in 1901 allowing the Navy to enlist 500 Filipinos. After Independence, in 1947, the United States concluded an agreement with the Republic of the Philippines which specified that the United States would be permitted to recruit citizens of the Philippines for voluntary enlistment into the United States Armed Forces. Filipinos are recruited into the Navy under the provisions of Article XXVII of the Military Bases Agreement between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines of 14 March 1947. An agreement was negotiated in 1952 based upon the 1947 agreement whereby up to 1,000 Filipino citizens could be enlisted in the US Navy each year. This agreement was amended upon the request of the United States in 1954 to raise this number to 2,000 a year. The 1947 agreement between the US and the Philippine government is still in force because of mutual benefit to both countries.
Under the Nationality Act of 1940, aliens who served honorably in the armed forces for three years or more could be naturalized as US citizens.
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-...
Under the Nationality Act of 1940, aliens who served honorably in the armed forces for three years or more could be naturalized as US citizens.
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-...
6
So what?
America is threatened by the Sunni Muslim Arab led al Qaeda and ISIS and their affiliates. The Shia Muslims are only 15-25% of Muslims.
The American homeland has not been attacked nor threatened with attack by Shia Muslim majority Persian Iran nor Shia Muslim majority Arab Iraq and Bahrain nor Alawite Shia Muslim Arab minority Syria.
Afghanistan is engaged in a decades long ethnic sectarian civil war. The ethnic Pashtun make-up 42% of Afghans and while the Taliban is all Pashtun not all Pashtun are Taliban. But most of the Pashtun live in Pakistan where they make-up only 15% of Pakistanis. The quest of 50 million Pashtun for an ethnic majority nation state of their own lies at the heart of a conflict that has no military solution.
America's most motivated and loyal allies in the Middle East are the 35-40 million Sunni Muslim Kurds who are despised by the Sunni Muslim Turks and Arabs and the Shia Muslim Persians and Arabs. The Kurds seek a nation state where they are an ethnic majority. Saladin was a Kurd.
America is threatened by the Sunni Muslim Arab led al Qaeda and ISIS and their affiliates. The Shia Muslims are only 15-25% of Muslims.
The American homeland has not been attacked nor threatened with attack by Shia Muslim majority Persian Iran nor Shia Muslim majority Arab Iraq and Bahrain nor Alawite Shia Muslim Arab minority Syria.
Afghanistan is engaged in a decades long ethnic sectarian civil war. The ethnic Pashtun make-up 42% of Afghans and while the Taliban is all Pashtun not all Pashtun are Taliban. But most of the Pashtun live in Pakistan where they make-up only 15% of Pakistanis. The quest of 50 million Pashtun for an ethnic majority nation state of their own lies at the heart of a conflict that has no military solution.
America's most motivated and loyal allies in the Middle East are the 35-40 million Sunni Muslim Kurds who are despised by the Sunni Muslim Turks and Arabs and the Shia Muslim Persians and Arabs. The Kurds seek a nation state where they are an ethnic majority. Saladin was a Kurd.
14
Let them sort it out among themselves. We should get out of that territory.. But then war people would lose money... so we can't do that.
7
Sounds good to me! Afghan refugees have proved to be a problem in Iran, much like refugees in Europe. They're mostly uneducated, illiterate, unemployable, and often have abhorrent views towards women - and that says a lot, considering it's Iran! Are they being used? Absolutely! But if refugees want a new life so bad, then let them prove it.
9
How is it different from the US of A?
10
Excellent article about something I knew very little about, improved by the fact the author informed without overt op-ed.
6
gee.. can't we do that ?
2
We do. For example, the CIA ran its "rat line" from Libya to Syria, sending weapons and "fighters" into Syria on terms even less favorable, offering nothing by way of a future, just cash.
10
Thanks to the decades old geopolitical power play for dominance in the region spreading from the South,Central, to West Asia and North Africa, the poor Afghans or the Uzbeks or other displaced people from this region have no option but to offer themselves as the fodder cannon either in local wars or as the mercenaries for the foreign powers.
18
The Afghan intelligence agency, NDS has kept an eye on Iranian activities inside Afghanistan, involving Afghan middlemen who work on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). They connect impoverished, combat willing men with the Iranian embassy in Kabul, which assisted with visas and travel.
The IRGC provides military training and has in mind to build a loyal Afghan Shia militia that may serve a longer-term purpose beyond Syria - to fight the Taliban or other Sunni groups on Afghan soil after the US withdrawal one day. Some Afghan politicians have tried to intervene, saying Iran was stoking ethnic tension between Sunnis and Shias, in order to assert control in. It sounds familiar, because Pakistan has been accused of destabilising Afghanistan too. But as long as the Shia Afghans see no hope and future in their country, fighting in other countries war is their ultimate act of desperation.
The IRGC provides military training and has in mind to build a loyal Afghan Shia militia that may serve a longer-term purpose beyond Syria - to fight the Taliban or other Sunni groups on Afghan soil after the US withdrawal one day. Some Afghan politicians have tried to intervene, saying Iran was stoking ethnic tension between Sunnis and Shias, in order to assert control in. It sounds familiar, because Pakistan has been accused of destabilising Afghanistan too. But as long as the Shia Afghans see no hope and future in their country, fighting in other countries war is their ultimate act of desperation.
11
J.: Is that our excuse for fighting in other people's wars, are we like the Shia Afghans or are we merely cannon fodder (in our case for Israel) as suggested by Professor Sharma in the above comment, as so many Americans now fall into the catagory of "seeing no hope and future for America"?
6
Wasn't Obama's reaching out to Iran supposed to make Iran less of a homicidal state?
5
The nuclear deal's purpose was to make it more difficult for Iran to develop nuclear weapons. It has done that. It hasn't stopped Iran, or the US, or Saudia Arabia, or Russia, from pursuing proxy wars that are actually against the interests of its citizens but that jibe with the interests of the deep states in those countries. Exhibit A: Obama promising to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008.
2
MAL: Try reading the "deal" documents - they spell out several interesting and unfortunate things. One is that Iran gets to tell inspectors which facilities they will be allowed to inspect.
The "deal" hasn't stopped Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, nor will it. Think about how well Bush and Clinton stopped North Korea, and then prove that Obama somehow got it right this time.
The "deal" hasn't stopped Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, nor will it. Think about how well Bush and Clinton stopped North Korea, and then prove that Obama somehow got it right this time.
5
No. The deal Obama struck with Iran was to stall their development of nuclear weapons. Period. And so far, it's worked.
7
And when was all this going on? During the Obama-Kerry years. Did Mr. Obama and Mr. Kerry know about this? Hard to imagine that they did not, as well as about the other adventures of Iran in Syria or elsewhere.
Was this brought to the knowledge of the American public by the Obama administration. I do not remember this appearing in the NYT then.
But why would the Obama administration want to upset the American public with bad things about Iran when they had a nuclear "deal" to push through.
Was this brought to the knowledge of the American public by the Obama administration. I do not remember this appearing in the NYT then.
But why would the Obama administration want to upset the American public with bad things about Iran when they had a nuclear "deal" to push through.
8
Yet another way Iran upped us.
We spent over $500 million, and managed to train a total of 6 recruits for Syria (yes, you read it right, six !!!). Iran spends much less and gets a bigger bang for the buck.
Perhaps CIA can learn a lesson from Iran.
We spent over $500 million, and managed to train a total of 6 recruits for Syria (yes, you read it right, six !!!). Iran spends much less and gets a bigger bang for the buck.
Perhaps CIA can learn a lesson from Iran.
9
["We spent over $500 million, and managed to train a total of 6 recruits.. "]
I'm beginning to suspect that's not the true story. Perhaps the CIA/etc... spent $500 million, and they can only count & speak of the 6 recruits who received aid who weren't extremists/terrorists in the region.
I'm beginning to suspect that's not the true story. Perhaps the CIA/etc... spent $500 million, and they can only count & speak of the 6 recruits who received aid who weren't extremists/terrorists in the region.
2
This is not "Assad's War."
This is a war of existence for a Muslim minority sect that has long suffered atrocities worse than 9/11. If it wasn't for Iran's help against ISIS and ISIS-lights, we would be reading news reports about massacres of Alawites and Shiites of the same variety as those in Rwanda, Serbia, Cambodia, ad nauseam. Then we would turn to some reality show.
For a newspaper of record, it's distressing how often the NYT surreptitiously pushes an official US/Saudi narrative.
This is a war of existence for a Muslim minority sect that has long suffered atrocities worse than 9/11. If it wasn't for Iran's help against ISIS and ISIS-lights, we would be reading news reports about massacres of Alawites and Shiites of the same variety as those in Rwanda, Serbia, Cambodia, ad nauseam. Then we would turn to some reality show.
For a newspaper of record, it's distressing how often the NYT surreptitiously pushes an official US/Saudi narrative.
53
Haven't read a more ridiculous comment in a few days. The "suppressed" minority of 10% population of Syria that has been all-in-all for the last 50 years and has killed hundreds of thousands of the majority Sunni population. Not just now but going all the back to the 1982 Hama pogrom. Excellent argument! Only that the world has learnt enough during the last few years to discard such preposterous lies of Assad and Iran acolytes.
2
It is a sad fact Alex, that the NYT editorial Board shows a distinct bias against Syrian leader Assad and a strong inclination towards supporting the Saudis and Gulf states, who have financed and continue to do so the Sunni rebel groups in Syria. Many of these are not even Syrians, but from the Sunni muslim world generally, who have come there to fight 'jihad' agains the Shia. The Jsbhat ul Nusra mentioned in this case history at the core of the article are better known as al Qaeda, who DID attack America on 9/11. Has that so quickly been forgotten? "Mr Assad and Iran's war" is a grotesque description of a civil war within Syria, a recognised nation state and UN member. It is relevant to ask why is the USA supporting the same side as al Qaeda and ISIS, the Sunni fundamentalists? Is the Saudi influence just so strong on the USA that they can 'overlook' what al Qaeda did to NewYork and WDC?
6
Iran offering ten year Residency permits to Afghans to fight in Syria is no different than our Military recruiters offering Mexicans and others a fast path to residency and citizenship to join our armed forces since we cannot seem to recruit enough American citizens!!!!
52
The US has no strategic interest in supporting either Shia or Sunni in their centuries-long religous war. It is simply not our fight.
The US government supports Saudi Arabia solely because of their oil exports. The Saudis created and continue to fund the global spread of madrasses that teach illiterate Muslim children to hate & kill anyone who does not believe as they do. SA should be the focus of any efforts at "regime change" for our strategic security interests.
The US government supports Saudi Arabia solely because of their oil exports. The Saudis created and continue to fund the global spread of madrasses that teach illiterate Muslim children to hate & kill anyone who does not believe as they do. SA should be the focus of any efforts at "regime change" for our strategic security interests.
40
The US deal with the Saudis dates to the time when the US feared an oil glut, in which cheap oil coming out of the ground for pennies would drive out of business the huge long-established US oil industry, which dominated the world's oil supply to great effect as in WW2. The purpose was to limit supplies, and so to prop up oil prices to protect our own oil industry.
Times changed. Details of uses changed. It has always been about US oil industry and prices and profits here, and strategic dominance of world oil supply.
Times changed. Details of uses changed. It has always been about US oil industry and prices and profits here, and strategic dominance of world oil supply.
5
GTM
Yet we continue to arm them to the teeth .
Billions every year to a oil-wealthy nation which spawned the 9/11 terrorists. How much of their oil justifies this sordid support?
Yet we continue to arm them to the teeth .
Billions every year to a oil-wealthy nation which spawned the 9/11 terrorists. How much of their oil justifies this sordid support?
1
This compelling story does a great job of providing a nuanced view of some of the power dynamics influencing the civil war and the complicated decisions that may land people in the middle of the war.
However, why is this in the opinion section? It appears to be written by a journalist, but placing the article in this section removes credibility from the story.
However, why is this in the opinion section? It appears to be written by a journalist, but placing the article in this section removes credibility from the story.
8
When the US, with the help of Pakistan, recruited the Afghan refugees in Pakistan to create the Taliban, we had a noble goal: oust the godless Russians from Afghanistan.
And what is Iran doing? They are recruiting these poor Afghan refugees living in Iran to go fight the US-backed freedom fighters in Syria. That is despicable.
And what is Iran doing? They are recruiting these poor Afghan refugees living in Iran to go fight the US-backed freedom fighters in Syria. That is despicable.
4
If your house or neighbourhood is on fire, does it matter who comes and extinguishes it? Blame and punish those who set a peaceful country like Syria on fire for no apparent reason.
13
There are US backed non-religious rebels in Syria it is true, but they have been much smaller and until recently less effective than the many Sunni volunteers from all across the Muslim world, including Checnya Dagestan, Uzbekistan Indonesia, even western China, plus from many European countries. That is what the war has ben about for the past six years, the US backed rebels have become more prominent recently, because they now seem to have been adopted by US Special Forces and as the Islamic rebels are generally in retreat, definitely losing the civil war, the US seems to more openly seeking the downfall of the Syrian government, although that will just extend the fighting and general misery for Syrians generally. The Syrian army is in direct conflict with ISIS at the seige of Deir al Zor as are the Russian Air force, but since the US is striking other ISIS targets in Syria as well, it is becomng more and more confusing to know what he US war aims now are?
EXCUSE ME, but we did almost the same during the Bush years, many foreigners were promised citizenship after signing up to go to war for the U.S. in Iraq. Those that got injured got sent back to their home country with nothing.
15
It's a wonder some hawkish American political party doesn't exploit the immigrants they hate but can't keep out with this "deal," especially considering we have a president who has a book he didn't write called "The Art of the Deal."
Since there are reportedly 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, simply round them up and make them an offer they can't refuse: military service rewarded by citizenship or immediate deportation. We'd have enough troops to colonize the world, and the American public would have no problem with that because it wouldn't be their sons or daughters fighting and dying to achieve our military goals.
Since there are reportedly 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, simply round them up and make them an offer they can't refuse: military service rewarded by citizenship or immediate deportation. We'd have enough troops to colonize the world, and the American public would have no problem with that because it wouldn't be their sons or daughters fighting and dying to achieve our military goals.
3
Sigh. Only if it were possible.
Iranian recruits the Shia among the Afghans and others who would even fight for free, because they believe in the cause.
What Mexican would share our hegemonistic goals?
Iranian recruits the Shia among the Afghans and others who would even fight for free, because they believe in the cause.
What Mexican would share our hegemonistic goals?
Don't trust Iran. Also what a joke, the Afghans can't fight I. Their own country, why would you trust people,fleeing and not fighting to fight in Syria.
Mr Latifi implicitly and unintentionally captures the ultimate reality of why the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan can never be dispositive. "There is not one Afghanistan, there are a thousand Afghanistans ". That quote from Edward Girardet's Afghan classic "The Killing of the Cranes", references accurately that the people of Afghanistan have no loyalty to their country. Their loyalty is to their religion, war lord, ethnicity, or just being being able to support their families. Mr. Latifi clearly shows that Abdol Amin's primary concern is economic, with a subsidiary loyalty to his Shia sect. He never mentions his country. Mr Latifi's microcosm should be a flashing strobe light, warning U.S. Politicians and military planners of the futility of any increased U.S.involvement in Afghanistan.
17
An over-arching nationalism that subsumes localism is a Western construct used to ill effect in promoting vast wars among us. The Afghans don't have it? Lucky them. But they are still victims of our nationalism.
1
Interesting. I guess the USA really underestimated Assad when Hillary and Obama, after seeing people walking around in the streets in 2011, decided to "supply arms" to the "Syrian Rebels".
To both of their surprise, and, all of the Generals who recommended it, Assad was actually interested in winning a war to throw him out. Which, he has mostly done.
So, what the USA did, really, was not sponsor "regime change", which, we now know is a really stupid goal.
Rather, The USA sponsored the largest refugee diaspora since WW II.
Happy fourth of July everyone. O say can you see?
To both of their surprise, and, all of the Generals who recommended it, Assad was actually interested in winning a war to throw him out. Which, he has mostly done.
So, what the USA did, really, was not sponsor "regime change", which, we now know is a really stupid goal.
Rather, The USA sponsored the largest refugee diaspora since WW II.
Happy fourth of July everyone. O say can you see?
14
They simply "outsourced" the regime change to various jihadi groups using the Gulf states and Turkey as go-betweens. It all started to go wrong when they tried to distinguish the "moderate" rebels from ISIS and Al-qaeda when often they was no real difference.
5
Iran has always claimed its advisory capacity in Syria, dispatching senior commanders to plan and oversee operations. But it exploits the vulnerabilities of the Afghans living illegally in Iran to recruit fighters and send them as cannon fodder to Syria. While the number of Afghans killed in Syria may be "around 600," the number of Iranian "martyrs as defenders of shrine has exceeded 1,000," Mohammadali Shahidi Mahallati, head of Iran's Foundation of Martyrs announced in November 2016. In Iran the war in Syria doesn't seem have a geopolitical character, but a religious one.
Without foreign fighters, Assad's army would never have been able to recapture Aleppo (largest) and Homs (third largest) cities in Syria. The Fatemiyoun division of Afghan refugees living in Iran is the second largest foreign military contingent fighting in support of Bashar al-Assad, after the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
Without foreign fighters, Assad's army would never have been able to recapture Aleppo (largest) and Homs (third largest) cities in Syria. The Fatemiyoun division of Afghan refugees living in Iran is the second largest foreign military contingent fighting in support of Bashar al-Assad, after the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
2
This was a very informative article, but I fail to see how all of these Afghan "men" see fit to leave Afghanistan to fight in Iran, when, supposedly, their own country is being threatend, once again, by the Taliban--according to the latest news. So, thousands are in Iran looking for work and hundreds of thousands are sitting in Europe working a bogus asylum claim (Taliban killed my parents, chased by criminals, etc. etc.), and lying about their age and/or identity. Should make any country considering asylum for Afghans think twice. They obviously can leave and return at will, have no interest in defending their country--let the Americans and NATO do it. More reason why the US should get out of this country now. They have had their opportunity to earn a secure, safe society and screwed it up...and the men could care less.
15
"but I fail to see how all of these Afghan "men" see fit to leave Afghanistan to fight in Iran, when, supposedly, their own country is being threatend, once again, by the Taliban"
Iran is not fighting in Afghanistan. We are. We don't recruit Shiites. We sponsor many of the Sunnis who so actively murder them. The Afghan "government" we run is a nasty piece of work, part of what these men are running from.
Iran is not fighting in Afghanistan. We are. We don't recruit Shiites. We sponsor many of the Sunnis who so actively murder them. The Afghan "government" we run is a nasty piece of work, part of what these men are running from.
6
The USA does the same thing. We promise citizenship for fighting our wars because our citizens don't see the military as a way into the middle class like past generations. I suspect that these Afghanis feel like the trade off is worth fighting for someone else's cause or they wouldn't do it.
45
It is worse than you describe, because now under Trump and General Kelly ICE is deporting veterans who fought for us who are not citizens. We promised them citizenship, they enlisted and served in the US armed forces and now we deport them.
6
This article says no more than Iran is using mercenaries to staff its armies. The USA also uses mercenaries - frequently Al queda terrorists - to fight its proxy war in Syria. Alternatively the USA uses the term 'Contractors' which seems to apply more to 'Western/American fighters? Other Powers, British and French, engaged in the Syrian war also use mercenaries.
47
Robert, that is a good point, but certainly you don't support Iran pressuring refugees into the military?
Two wrongs still don't make a right.
Two wrongs still don't make a right.
5
I certainly do not support any person being pressured into any military.
8
Well said.
I shall add that the US, also using Turkey and Saudi Arabia as key backers, channeled and supported ISIS in Syria as well.
Just to cite a major piece of evidence, a 2012 DIA report (http://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pg.-291-Pgs.-287... showed that the US knew about arms shipment from Libya to Syria in support of ISIS fighters and involving a future project to establish a Caliphate in Syria and Iraq.
Not only did the US fail to expose and stop this, but, as some of the Clinton emails revealed, it strongly encouraged it.
I shall add that the US, also using Turkey and Saudi Arabia as key backers, channeled and supported ISIS in Syria as well.
Just to cite a major piece of evidence, a 2012 DIA report (http://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pg.-291-Pgs.-287... showed that the US knew about arms shipment from Libya to Syria in support of ISIS fighters and involving a future project to establish a Caliphate in Syria and Iraq.
Not only did the US fail to expose and stop this, but, as some of the Clinton emails revealed, it strongly encouraged it.
3
This is an important aspect of Iran's involvement in Syria that all too often goes unnoticed. Commenters and analysts frequently equate Iran's "Shiite militias" with actual Iranian forces, when in reality, they are often stocked with impoverished foreign fighters like those described in this article. For the Iranian regime, these soldiers are both plentiful and expendable. This is one way Iran gets around the problem of prosecuting a war that is unpopular with much of its citizenry but it still considers part of its vital security interests.
The United States would be wise to consider this aspect of Iran's involvement in Syria before entering into a more direct military confrontation there. As long as Iran has access to this pool of recruits, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the United States to convince the Iranians through force to abandon their military involvement in the region. Diplomacy remains the best hope for a resolution to this conflict.
The United States would be wise to consider this aspect of Iran's involvement in Syria before entering into a more direct military confrontation there. As long as Iran has access to this pool of recruits, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the United States to convince the Iranians through force to abandon their military involvement in the region. Diplomacy remains the best hope for a resolution to this conflict.
24
Mr Latifi’s story about Iran enlisting Afghans to fight in Syria omitted a major component of the Syrian war—the Gulf kingdoms, Turkey, and US involvement. Prior to the entrance of Afghan fighters or Hezbollah, the oil sheiks had already begun supplying rebels with money and arms. Turkey became the transit for weapons and foreign jihadists. The call to arms for a sectarian conflict rang out first from Saudi Arabia, not Iran. Only when the weight of foreign intervention threaten Asad’s fall did Iran called upon Hezbollah and others to come to Damascus’ aid.
Sunni recruits came from Europe, the US, as well as Asia. The underwriting of these extremists brought renewed life to al Qaeda and fostered the creation of ISIS. Because of oil monarchs, those battling the Syrian government returned to their homes to strike against their own states. The air waves and internet became conduits for inciting jihadists worldwide with devastating terror attacks by lone wolves.
Latifi also leaves out that the effectiveness of the Afghan fighters were of little help to Asad. If the Shiite militias were as effective as the Sunni jihadists, then why did Russia have to step in 2015? It has been the Russian military presence that secured the Syrian state, not ragtag Afghan or Shiite soldiers.
Sunni recruits came from Europe, the US, as well as Asia. The underwriting of these extremists brought renewed life to al Qaeda and fostered the creation of ISIS. Because of oil monarchs, those battling the Syrian government returned to their homes to strike against their own states. The air waves and internet became conduits for inciting jihadists worldwide with devastating terror attacks by lone wolves.
Latifi also leaves out that the effectiveness of the Afghan fighters were of little help to Asad. If the Shiite militias were as effective as the Sunni jihadists, then why did Russia have to step in 2015? It has been the Russian military presence that secured the Syrian state, not ragtag Afghan or Shiite soldiers.
57
Very good analysis, doughboy. Can also point out that to believe that the Iraqi army and the hundreds of ragtag militias defeated ISIS is foolish. The only thing that has defeated ISIS is having one extremely well trained Iraqi special forces group with EXTENSIVE US firepower support. Save for the Kurds, all of these "militias" are little more than criminal gangs, and now well armed and not beholden to anyone but a tribal strongman. This war will drag on for decades.
4
"all of these "militias" are little more than criminal gangs"
Actually their qualities vary dramatically. As also in Mexico, some recruit from the armed forces to get the best-trained men.
It is misleading to oversimplify and assume anything about any one group by stereotype.
Actually their qualities vary dramatically. As also in Mexico, some recruit from the armed forces to get the best-trained men.
It is misleading to oversimplify and assume anything about any one group by stereotype.
2
Excellent points and brilliantly argued.