Iraq’s hostile neighbors

Recent stories highlight the threat to Iraqi sovereignty and security emanating from two of its neighbors. As relayed in Wednesday’s Washington Post, the leaders of Iraq and Jordan are warning that Iran is trying to influence the Iraqi elections to create an Islamic government. According to Jordan’s King Abdullah, in addition to training militias and pouring money into Iraq to create pro-Iranian sentiment, Tehran has allowed the flow of more than 1 million Iranians – who "will be used as part of the polls to influence the outcome [of elections]" – into the country.

A second story from the Post describes how intelligence now suggests the Iraqi insurgency is being directed to a greater degree from Syria than was previously thought. This is in line with the picture painted by Iraqi interim president Ghazi al-Yawer, who asserts "there are people in Syria who…are Saddam remnants who are trying to bring the vicious dictatorship of Saddam back."

Despite the tremendous progress being made due to the perseverance of the Iraqi people and the liberating Coalition, intrigue by Tehran and Damascus menaces the future of Free Iraq. Their meddling must be brought to an end.