Saudis Move Against Iran in Bahrain
In Bahrain, protesters and revolutionaries including the Muslim Brotherhood are pieces being manipulated by Iran, in an effort ultimately aimed at toppling their old arch-rival Saudi Arabia. Knocking down Bahrain's rulers will put them that much closer to removing the Sauds.The Iranians clearly benefit from an uprising in Bahrain. It places the U.S. 5th Fleet’s basing in jeopardy, puts the United States in a difficult position and threatens the stability of other Persian Gulf Arab states. For the Iranians, the uprisings in North Africa and their spread to the Arabian Peninsula represent a golden opportunity for pursuing their long-standing interest (going back to the Shah and beyond) of dominating the Gulf.
The Saudis have just sent a military force across the bridge into Bahrain to stop Iran. Iran is, at the moment, stymied. The Iranians' other goal (the big prize in the Middle East) is Iraq -- which the US is in the process of handing off to them. But somehow, even President Obama may have figured something out here:There are rumors in Washington that U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to slow down, halt or even reverse the withdrawal from Iraq. Rumors are merely rumors, but these make sense. Completing the withdrawal now would tilt the balance in Iraq to Iran, a strategic disaster.
It would be amazing, to me, if this turns out to be true.
So now we wait to see what Iran will do. And this situation makes Ahmadinejad weak -- and ripe to be removed and replaced with one of the much fiercer jihadists in the ruling council.
From the STRATFOR special report on these events just released.
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The Saudis have just sent a military force across the bridge into Bahrain to stop Iran. Iran is, at the moment, stymied. The Iranians' other goal (the big prize in the Middle East) is Iraq -- which the US is in the process of handing off to them. But somehow, even President Obama may have figured something out here:There are rumors in Washington that U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to slow down, halt or even reverse the withdrawal from Iraq. Rumors are merely rumors, but these make sense. Completing the withdrawal now would tilt the balance in Iraq to Iran, a strategic disaster.
It would be amazing, to me, if this turns out to be true.
So now we wait to see what Iran will do. And this situation makes Ahmadinejad weak -- and ripe to be removed and replaced with one of the much fiercer jihadists in the ruling council.
From the STRATFOR special report on these events just released.
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