رووداو
WASHINGTON, D.C. – For those who follow Middle East politics, Qasem Soleimani is a well-known figure.
He is the director of Iran’s Al-Quds force, an armed division that conducts operations often outside Iran.
Soleimani’s work is currently focused on Iraq, where he is reportedly on the ground directing tens of thousands of Shia militias battling the Islamic State in the predominately-Sunni city of Tikrit.
Only last week the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry openly admitted the direct role the powerful Iranian commander is playing in Iraq.
“There are some militias involved,” Mr. Kerry said, “and yes, some of those militias are receiving direction from General Soleimani and from Iran. That’s a fact.”
Has the Islamic State (ISIS) led to the rise of Iran’s influence in Iraq? Does Iran’s role complicate or help the US to achieve its goal: the destruction of ISIS?
To discuss this topic, Rudaw’s Inside America talks to:
- Justin Logan is the director of foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. He is an expert on U.S. strategy, international relations, and American foreign policy.
- Ellen Laipson, president and chief executive officer Stimson, a foreign affairs think-tank focusing on security. She was a member of President Obama's Intelligence Advisory Board from 2009-2013.
He is the director of Iran’s Al-Quds force, an armed division that conducts operations often outside Iran.
Soleimani’s work is currently focused on Iraq, where he is reportedly on the ground directing tens of thousands of Shia militias battling the Islamic State in the predominately-Sunni city of Tikrit.
Only last week the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry openly admitted the direct role the powerful Iranian commander is playing in Iraq.
“There are some militias involved,” Mr. Kerry said, “and yes, some of those militias are receiving direction from General Soleimani and from Iran. That’s a fact.”
Has the Islamic State (ISIS) led to the rise of Iran’s influence in Iraq? Does Iran’s role complicate or help the US to achieve its goal: the destruction of ISIS?
To discuss this topic, Rudaw’s Inside America talks to:
- Justin Logan is the director of foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. He is an expert on U.S. strategy, international relations, and American foreign policy.
- Ellen Laipson, president and chief executive officer Stimson, a foreign affairs think-tank focusing on security. She was a member of President Obama's Intelligence Advisory Board from 2009-2013.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment