iraq has refuted those claims, more importantly, the us is holding iraq hostage to the dollar, money that it has rightfully earned. how it does that, is one angle we'll be covering in this edition of economic divide. some of the headlines coming up, the us maximum pressure, sanctioning iraqi banks in order to squeeze iran's economy, that is the ultimate goal, why to prevent iran's access to the dollar. then we move to uh why iraq is opposing those us sanctions. obviously iraq is not. thrilled by the fact that the us is controlling its money flows a third of iraqi banks are actually sanctioned, impact value of the dinar, iraki dinar obviously is impacted by this, and then you have foreign investments also taking a hit because of it. then we move to the us stated goals, something that the us says in public that is partnering with iraq's financial sector. it also says that it wants to prevent iran's abuse as it. it because it calls it a malign actor, and it's not just iran that they're looking at closely. the us is trying to put a squeeze on iran's economy by sanctioning rocky banks tha

it's me, iraq's banks are under pressure. the us treasury has imposed sanctions on more iraqi banks, claiming breaking sanctions when it comes to dollar outflows, especially when it comes to iran, so iraq has refuted those claims, more importantly. the us is holding iraq hostage to the dollar, money that it has rightfully earned. how it does that is one angle will be covering in this addition of economic divide. some of the headlines coming up, the us maximum pressure, sanctioning iraqi banks in order to squeeze iran's economy, that is the ultimate goal, why to prevent iran's access to the dollar. then we move to uh why iraq is opposing those us sanctions. obviously iraq is not thrilled by the fact that the us is control. it's money flows a third of iraq banks are actually sanctioned, impact value of the dinar, iraqi dinar obviously is impacted by this, and then you have foreign investments also taking a hit because of it, then we move to the us stated goals, something that the us says in public that is partnering with iraq's

then we move to why iraq is opposing those us sanctions. obviously iraq is not thrilled by the fact that the us is controlling its money flows. a third of iraqi banks are actually sanctioned. impact value of the dinar, iraqi dinar obviously is impacted by this, and then you have foreign investments also taking a hit because of it. then we move to the us stated goals, something that the us says in public that is partnering with iraq's financial sector, it also says that it wants to prevent iran's abuse as it sees it, because it calls it malign actor, and it's not just iran that they're looking at closely. the us is trying to put a squeeze on iran's economy by sanctioning iraqi banks that give dollar service to iran. washington has imposed sanctions on an iraqi bank's owner over alleged money laundering claims alhuda bank is a primary money. wondering concern serving as a conduit for so-called terrorist financing by iran. us treasury officials claim bank officials have circumvented limits on currency purchases and used forged documents to execute at least $6 billion in wire transfers out o

iran and iraq are trading partners. they have set a target of $20 billion annual trade and businessmen and authorities of both countries are determined to meet that target. the latest sanctions by the us on iraqi banks are aimed at disrupting trade relations. between iran and iraq and to initiate instability in iran. time now to take a look at some of the social media posts. first up uh this particular tweet from x where said iraq bands us dollar transactions in the latest move towards dedollarization. obviously that's very important for iraq. then another says the finance committee in the iraqi parliament made a statement calling for the sale. of oil and currencies other than the us dollar, the aim to counter us sanctions on the iraki banking system, but we went into the website that this belonged to where it said obviously that it wants to dish the us dollar in oil trade, and this was dated february the 2nd of the month we're in, 2024. it said the iraqi finance committee opposes us sanctions on iraqi banks citing mone

the prime minister of iraq emphasized the necessity of ending the mission of american forces in iraq in a meeting with members of the american congress on the sidelines of the munich security conference. mohammad shia said from sudan iraqi security forces have reached an advanced stage of readiness and there is no need for the presence of foreign forces in iraq. the presence of the iraqi prime minister in the munich conference coincided with baghdad and washington's talks for the withdrawal of american forces from iraq. the main purpose of the iraqi prime minister's participation in the munich conference is to end the presence of foreign forces, especially american forces, in iraq. on the sidelines of the munich conference, the iraqi prime minister emphasized the withdrawal of foreign forces from iraq as soon as possible in separate meetings with us vice president kamla harris and british foreign minister david cameron. ability iraq's military and intelligence security forces have reached an acceptable level to maintain the security of this country in dealing with terrorism, and ther

the time he said the us forces..." would remain in iraq to watch iran, which that means involving iraqaq, but the the the the the american forces, they are now in iraq as invited, there is no a treaty of status force agreement. authorizing their presence in iraq, that means the in in real time the iraqi government can ask them to leave and start, they are started the negotiation, but the the status co, the american presence in iraq is incubation, since it's expanded its presence from iraq to occupy north syria, and from there it supports the genocidal war in in gaza, and that's where the whole thing. started from lately the iraqi resistance like hizballah and many in hashd shabi stand together united to stop using iraq and using syria to support uh the the the genocidal state of the zanist entity and it's genocidal war against gaza and they couldn't stand and watch seeing their land their territory as well and their brothers and sisters and gaza being massacred and that's where the united states of america came in and tried to uh to shut any resistance to its merse which is totally imm

iraq, baghdad sends a _ any position inside iraq, baghdad sends a message _ any position inside iraqereignty so - sends a message that this is a violation of sovereignty so it l sends a message that this is a - violation of sovereignty so it shows what a _ violation of sovereignty so it shows what a difficult _ violation of sovereignty so it shows what a difficult position _ violation of sovereignty so it shows what a difficult position that - what a difficult position that baghdad is, _ what a difficult position that baghdad is, squeezed - what a difficult position that. baghdad is, squeezed between what a difficult position that _ baghdad is, squeezed between baghdad and washington — baghdad is, squeezed between baghdad and washington. find _ baghdad is, squeezed between baghdad and washington-— and washington. and what about these militia grapps. — and washington. and what about these militia groups, could _ and washington. and what about these militia groups, could we _ and washington. and what about these militia groups, could we see _ and washington. and what about these militia

iraq, for example. saudi arabia. those countries have themselves vast resources and a sort of unity which has long been lacking in places like iraq and lebanon on. and it's important for the united states, as we look at this situation, to decide how big are american interests in keeping small american forces in places like iraq and syria? what is their mission and is the intent to leave them there indefinitely, or is the intent to have a strategy whereby at some point they can be withdrawn? we have been in iraq now since 2003. it is 21 years. and when you answer that question yourself? what do you think? i think if the mission is to achieve the enduring defeat of isis, of daesh, i think we have gone about as far as we can go. american special forces cannot eliminate isis. and really, in the end, only the indigenous forces, whether in iraq or in syria, are going to be able to do that. and the americans have spent years training these forces. one thing we should learn from afghanistan is that the american

will continue strikes inside iraq? gen. ryder: again, i can't speak for the government of iraq. i'd refer you to them obviously. when it comes to our operations and what we targeted and what we struck, i think i've been very clear what that is. and again, i'll emphasize that we greatly value iraq as a partner. their security and stability is vital to the broader region and we'll continue to work closely with our iraqi partners and continue to consult closely with them. but as we've said before, if our forces are threatened or harmed, we have to take appropriate action and will take appropriation action going forward. reporter: thanks, pat. you have noticed any improvement in the commercial shipping situation in the red sea since the united states has been conducting these retaliatory strikes against the houthis? gen. ryder: i don't have any data in front of me in terms of commercial shipping rates. i'm sure that commercial firms can provide that. you know, i will tell you that navcen regularly communicates with those shipping houses to ensure that we understand what their needs

syria. find iranian personnel and facilities in iraq and syria-— iraq and syria.ry obviously — iraq and syria. and the door was very obviously kept _ iraq and syria. and the door was very obviously kept open - iraq and syria. and the door was very obviously kept open by - very obviously kept open by president biden, wasn't it? so in a way, it is no surprise, perhaps a little bit surprising that the attacks after that hiatus at the start to respond now seem to be coming thick and fast. i start to respond now seem to be coming thick and fast.— coming thick and fast. i didn't uuite coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch — coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch that _ coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch that question. - coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch that question. but coming thick and fast. i didn't. quite catch that question. but i think the important thing here is that, to remember that this hasn't stopped. eversince that, to remember that this hasn't stopped. ever since the military action was launched against the houthis in yemen at

george w bush and the invasion of iraq. so the book was published to coincide with the anniversary of the war. but you've been working on this book a quite a while. you seemed reluctant, as you stated in your preface, to take on this project to begin with. why? well, i was reluctant for two reasons. first, i was trying to finish up work that i was doing on the evolution of the cold war topic of which i've written a great deal about. and secondly, and most importantly, i was reluctant to take it on because it was really contemporary history and the availability of primary source documents would be very limited. i'm a historian who has spent his career in the archives with hundreds and hundreds of archival boxes of documents. and i knew for certain that i would never have access to such documents. in writing this type of a book. and so i was very reluctant to undertake it until i met a former member of the bush administration who talked to me about the possible kitty of setting up interviews. and i can discuss that further, i

we'll talk about the iraq war, 20 years on. on march 20, 2003, president bush announced that the united states was invading iraq and wars of mass destruction. the weapons did not exist. we were not greeted add liberators. why? >> i'm delighted to discuss this important topic with you. >> welcome to the washington times. this is the author of confronting saddam hussian and president george w. bush and the invasion of iraq. you've been working on this book quite a while. you seemed reluctant to take on this project to begin with. why? >> i was reluctant for two reasons. first i was trying to finish up work that i was doing on the evolution of the cold war, topic of which i've written a great deal about. and secondly, and most importantly, i was reluctant to take it on because it was really contemporary history and the availability of primary source documents would be very limited. i'm a historian who has spent his career in the archives with hundreds and hundreds of archive boxes of documents. i knew for certain, i would never ha

seven strikes were hit and syria and iraq, iraq of course posts about 2500 u.s. forces in its country. how is it responding? >> reporter: iraq is waking up right now so we will probably be hearing more from the iraqi government, but as you mentioned shortly after the announcement of the strikes taking place, we did get a statement from the iraqi military. a spokesman saying this is a violation of iraq's sovereignty, that it is an acceptable, that iraq has really been trying to keep the region stable and basically hinting that this was a destabilizing act. you have to keep in mind as you mentioned earlier, iraq was given advance warning that these strikes it happen according to u.s. officials. frankly, much of the world knew that this was coming nearly a week after that attack that killed three u.s. service members on the base, on the jordan/syria border. everyone has been waiting and expecting u.s. retaliation and the expectation was that these strikes would take place in iraq and syria. you have to keep in mind, iraq is in a very tough position, it has for years

forces now in iraq and syria.o threatened that they eventually pull out. you know, they're trying to take a strong stance but remember, we only have 900 troops -- 1200 in iraq. and they are vulnerable. look to what extent we have to go in, bombers from the united states to try to protect them and send a message to government. so, the danger is that we may win in the short term, kind of message playing out. but we may find that down the road, we are kind of forced to withdraw because the rockies and their cooperation with us. >> yes, and this question about public opinion in the region, obviously, it goes back to the aftermath of the october 7th attack and this is stained israeli offensive in gaza. and also the public opinion and iraq after tonight's strike, hooman, where you could accomplish a certain end militarily, but there may be repercussions from that respect. >> oh, sure. we don't know what the repercussions will be. first of all, we don't know what -- where iran will be forced, obliged to have some sort of

in fact, a lot of people believe that the decision to invade iraq and bring about change in iraq was actually made even before september 11, that is to say that the neocons in the administration joined the administration with the intent to bring about regime change through an invasion of iraq. those notions exist in the literature. >> regime change was there but not going to war for it. >> well, that is the issue. i mean, there was a rhetorical commitment, a legislative commitment to bring about regime change. a piece of resolution passed in congress under bill clinton to bring about regime change. that was a rhetorical change. to get groups inside of the united states but what i found in my research because i systemically looked at this proposition was that there was no agreement prior to september 11 what so ever to really do anything concrete to bring about regime change in iraq. in fact, policy makers discuss what to do with regard to saddam hussein and they could not resolve what to do. the pros and cons of the actions they were complicated and they could not agree on it. so, no

and then it turned against iraq. later on, it invaded iraq who created this mess. it was the united states largest. you want to come back on on that as well. again, i think it's important to keep in mind that we did leave when the rockies asked us to leave. okay. we were willing to leave some folks there. but biology said no. so we left completely. we were asked to come back by the iraqi government and the other thing i think it's important to keep in mind the rocky government publicly will say things to a piece of land, but privately they'll tell us no, we really still want you to have to stay so i think it's important to keep that in mind. and basically we ended up in syria to fight isis, which was going after the rocky curves. that's why we were, we're all up there. so this has been our role. and prior to the attack, the october 7th attacks, there was no conflict going on. there were no shell waiting or anything like that. it was october 7th when a ray and i think gave the green light to a lot of what they called a cod force. people in iraq to attack americans i

is now having with iraq or rather iraq is having with the u.s. we've heard a lot of anger from iraq about the u.s. carrying out these strikes inside their country. most notably a strike in baghdad that took out a senior militant commander. where will that conversation go, do you think? >> well, it's already gone quite a distance because there's already been discussions between the pentagon and other u.s. officials with the iraqi government. the iraqi government is very heavily influenced, not only by these iranian-backed militias, but by iranian political strains, if you will. the iranian are leaning heavily on the iraqis to get u.s. forces out of iraq and the iraqi government is saying that the actions last night by the united states were a violation of sovereignty. violation of the u.n. charter. and this will probably further add to these discussions that are under way for the united states to draw down its presence inside of iraq. which all troops were pulled out in 2011. it was only a couple of years later that isis began to take huge swaths

the people in gaza, on friday night, the united states targeted syria and iraq and killed at least 16 people and wounded at least 25 others. well, what does this all mean and what is next for the region? stay with us as we take a look at all of this on the spotlight. i'd like to walk my guest now to the program. elijah macneer journalists and political activists out of brussels and julia coast and journalists and political analys out of beirot. thank you both for being with us. well, let's start off with you, elijah, do you think that the united states is being hit hard by the islamic resistance in various places in the region? let's start from there. thank you for having me. thank you for coming. the americans are really attacking the position of the resistance in iraq and syria in retaliation to the attack that happened against their position on the borders because they are considered as occupation forces and legally they have no right to retaliate because they are not in defensive position but they are occupying two countries basically they indeed occupying syria. and in iraq they

and also in syria. be hit here in iraq and also in s ria. . ~' ,, , be hit here in iraq and also innesota to speak to retired generaljoseph votel, former commander in the us central command and senior fellow at the middle east institute. thank you very much for coming onto the programme. can i get your assessment than on these strikes in terms of their timing, the fact that they were announced in advance and indeed the scale of them?— the scale of them? thank you and it is good _ the scale of them? thank you and it is good to _ the scale of them? thank you and it is good to be _ the scale of them? thank you and it is good to be with - the scale of them? thank you and it is good to be with you. | and it is good to be with you. i think the strikes we looked at, that we watched take place this afternoon us time, were pretty much as we expected. these target went directly after militant groups and iranian facilitator and leadership and support apparatus that supported those groups, most directly related to talent 22. the scope and scale of this was quite large. especially when compared

and that goes the economy off iraq. the private secretary in new york is, is it's suffering and a great deal because of the status of the american dollar this and what the americans are doing by, by cutting iraq you private banking system is not helping as the to rating the private sector and such a way that i, i hear of them banks and businesses are closing one after the other here in baghdad. and they can love to sustain themselves. so again, we hear calls for diversifying the rocky income by other currencies. and i think many people think that we do need to leave the american dollar as the only car. i see we trade oil with and we should venture into new currencies and have a different bus kits of international color. sees that we could manage our self and not be in the hands of the americans. therefore, i do believe that the americans, if they keep on their present policy, of disregarding iraq yourself warranty this regarding your ok key economy, i think that's will only lead to further the negative feelings and you'

this is anbar province in iraq. ambassador, the deterrent factor -- you just heard hooman talk about how much more of this happens, how many more casualties or how many casualties are the result of this. what is your sense of whether this will cool things off in the region or heat things up? >> look, i think we need to keep a couple things in mind. the iranians have always been prepared to fight to the last of their proxies, with the one exception being hezbollah, who they view differently. so, the fact that their proxies take casualties won't in and of itself give them a reason to retaliate against us. secondly, they will be looking at, is the u.s. crossing a threshold? the iranians have gotten used to certain rules of the game from their standpoint. as long as americans weren't killed, they understood there was a lot they could do under that threshold and there was a lot their proxies could do under that threshold. now you have three americans killed. you have 40 wounded. so, the iranians anticipated something. an

iraq opposes any u.s. military action inside iraq.re there, 2500 troops, part of an international coalition to counter isis at the nature at the request of the iraqi government. you know, secretary blinken, who has made every effort to try and keep this conflict from escalating, is now facing renewed challenges. the good news, we're not going into iran with strikes yet. >> general mccaffrey, can you give us a sense of how you define success with a mission like this? >> well, that's the $64 million question for sure. i think to some extent you have to respond. i've been really distraught listening to people say, well, now they've killed some u.s. soldiers, now we've got to act. we've had 160 something odd strikes on u.s. forces. you simply cannot take away the inherent right of self-defense and immediate action and decentralize responses if you're going to keep military forces deployed in such a dangerous environment. hopefully, that -- those days are behind us, and we'll now have a more active protection of the forces themselves. but

iraq, for example. militias witt— iraq, for example. militias will not _ iraq, for example.ake over saudi arabia. those countries have themselves vast resources — countries have themselves vast resources and a sort of unity which — resources and a sort of unity which has _ resources and a sort of unity which has long been lacking in places— which has long been lacking in places like iraq and lebanon on. places like iraq and lebanon on and _ places like iraq and lebanon on and it— places like iraq and lebanon on. and it is important for the united — on. and it is important for the united states, as we look at this— united states, as we look at this situation, to decide how bil this situation, to decide how big are — this situation, to decide how big are american interests in keeping _ big are american interests in keeping small american forces in places— keeping small american forces in places like iraq and syria? what — in places like iraq and syria? what is _ in places like iraq and syria? what is their mission and is the — what is their mission and is the intent to leave t

they defend iraq without needing foreign forces . the security forces and the iraqi forces have a high level of intelligence that we do not see in any other country in the world. thanks. the issue of the withdrawal of american troops from iraq became serious 4 years ago , when the united states the assassination of martyr soleimani and abu mahdi al-muhandis in the capital of iraq, even the parliament of this country had a resolution for the withdrawal of american forces, why do you think it took four years and during this time, did the americans not use the levers of economic and political tools they had to stay longer in iraq?

sent 2500 troops in iraq dating back to the campaign after we withdrew from iraq in 2011, 2500 remained as part of supporting counterterrorism operations, training the iraqi forces. but their presence is controversial in part of iraq and part of what these groups want is to provoke the u.s. and action that lead to the iraqi government asking the u.s. to get out, essentially. and that maybe what is happening here because it puts a lot of pressure on the iraqi government. look, it makes them look like they don't control their sovereignty that they're not a part of these strikes. every time the u.s. keeps a pretty significant military action in iraq over the head of the iraqi government, which is a majority shia, has ties to iran itself, it puts them in a really difficult spot here. so, iraq becomes kind of a battleground for this proxy between the u.s. and iran. also, these groups, if they wanted to respond, one of the places that's available to them, targets, it's the u.s. diplomatic presence in iraq. human targets, u.s. troops in the region, but also i'm sure the israeli heightened secu

on friday night, the united states targeted syria and iraq and killed at least 16 people and wounded at least 25 others. well, what does this all mean and what is next for the region? stay with us as we take a look at all of this on the spotlight. i'd like to walk my guest now to the program. elijah macneer journalists and political. activists out of brussels and julia costan journalists and political analysts out of beirot. thank you both for being with us. well, let's start off with you, elijah. do you think that the united states is being hit hard by the islamic resistance in various places in the region? let's start from there. thank you for having me. thank you for coming. the americans are really. the attacking the position of the resistance in iraq and syria in retaliation to the attack that happened against their position on the borders because they are considered as occupation forces and legally they have no right to retaliate because they are not in defensive position but they are occupying two countries basically they indeed occupying syria and in iraq they are not welcome

between syria and iraq. my home has there been any official reaction from the iraq and government to the strikes so there is no official response to that is no official comments from officials in iraq as of yet. but we know that the government has been under huge oppression since these attacks are started on october. this event is a huge number of attacks over a 178 attacks targeting us and coalition forces facilities. maybe 10 minutes late for students is in iraq and syria since october the 17th. the one of these states says it's been about 160 attacks. in all cases, these thousands of attacks have put the iraqi government under appreciated because on the one hand it is engaging in talks with the us, officials to organize the us submitted to prison is any lock. but meanwhile, it is under huge pressure from these ottomans groups which coal, the us and coalition military presence in iraq. ok will patient that these are the groups, be slanted resistance, which includes a lot of lines on the groups, are demandi

it was done to get out of iraq. thank you very much, one of the unprecedented aspects of al-aqsa storm and its subsequent events is the participation of the groups there were different types of resistance in the region, in iraq, syria , along with yemen and lebanon, which was unprecedented in the past. we did not see such cases in the past . tower 22, located in jordan, why did it become so special if it is american? there were no casualties in the previous attacks. americans have never suffered such a large amount of damage. they suffered material losses. they were wounded and injured. but this base that was attacked in jordan , in terms of intelligence, security and logistics very. it was not known to many people, even in the arab countries and jordan, there were people who jordanian people and jordanian and arab experts and media did not know about the existence of this military base that the americans used to attack iraq and syria and the axis of resistance. and the resistance groups attacked this base to show o

they struck bases that are linked to the iraq military. they belong to the middle of the rocky military in the rockies condemned the attack and the same issue with syria and they will fight and wants to look strong. he hasn't attacked the ryans and most importantly is the fact that this is about the rocky and syrian sovereignty. the americans liked to call everyone iranian proxies. the, yeah, many uses the lebanese, the palestinians, and the rockies and the syrians. but that's just, they're just misleading public opinion, and they're pulling themselves. people don't like their countries to be occupied. okay, you could also argue professor, the but it wrong is occupying pots of, of syria, iraq, unless the couldn't, you know, iran doesn't have any forces any rock. and he runs a role in syria is with the consent of the internationally recognized government in damascus. and in any case, but it has, but it has, it has the proxy and it does have proxy malicious that it doesn't it know whatever iran does. again, syria, it is with a consent and su

the video you saw comes from iraq on the border with syria. the attacks violated iraq sovereignty. the white house says iraq was notified before it unleashed it's military might. president biden released this statement. lets all those who seek to do us harm know this. if you harm an american, we will respond. >>> let's get to cnn senior international correspondent ben weiterman. good to have you. seven strikes were set off. just explain for us, how iraq is responding to these strikes. >> an iraqi spokesman linda has come out and said that the attacks are unacceptable. and a violation of iraqi security. that's not the first time the iraqis have said that after american strikes on militias in iraq and as you noted, iraqs in a rather odd position where by itself hosting 2,500 u.s. forces in the country, extensively there for the war against isis, but nonetheless there is a lot of unhappiness about not just the u.s. military presence there but iraq like so many countries across the middle east including where i am jordan. the people are very upset about the war in gaza. which is now we

mazen nazidi, an iraqi analyst, for more developments in iraq let's check. mr. azidi, hello, welcome to jahan today program. hello and welcome. thank you for your hospitality and greetings to you and dear viewers. the american attack on seven points inside syria and iraq led to the martyrdom of 40 people from the popular forces and even ordinary people. these days , many personalities inside iraq point out that these attacks show that the americans should leave their country. un security convene a meeting and now summarize these conditions. i want to turn it into a question , do you think the consequences of this attack for what will america do , does it specify their withdrawal from iraq? to talk to the people of iran and congratulate them on the victory of the islamic revolution and the decade of fajr. i also congratulate the leadership of the islamic republic, imam khamenei. on this occasion, we remember the victory of the islamic revolution , imam khomeini, the leader of the islamic revolution, who cannot be he talked about the resistance in the region, but

the pmu chief says this is done when iraq is perged of all foreign presents. meanwile, the islamic resistance in iraq says it will continue military operation against the us until american forces pull out of the west asian country. the developmentts come after us and british forces launched air strikes on western iraq on friday. the attacks killed at least 16 people and wounded 36 others. habib jaguri is a journalist and activist who joins us from adelaide australia. welcome to the program. we're taking a look at the way that first of all the us is um acting very provocatively when it comes to the military strikes uh because uh hitting 85 targets or so is uh is quite uh is is rather large in terms of uh um inflaming uh not only the country of iraq. but also the region as a whole, which iran's foreign minister has said uh, but what it what it amounts to is the violation of iraq's sovereignty, and in turn, you have again calls uh, which have not obviously been heated by the us, for the us forces all together to leave the country, do you think that this spells th

it's been in iraq now since 2003. it's 21— been in iraq now since 2003.ould you answer the question - it's 21 years. and would you i answer the question yourself? what do you think? i answer the question yourself? what do you think?— what do you think? i think if the mission _ what do you think? i think if the mission is _ what do you think? i think if the mission is to _ what do you think? i think if the mission is to achieve - what do you think? i think if| the mission is to achieve the enduring _ the mission is to achieve the enduring defeat of isis, of dyess, _ enduring defeat of isis, of dyess, i_ enduring defeat of isis, of dyess, i think we have gone about— dyess, i think we have gone about as _ dyess, i think we have gone about as far as we can go. american _ about as far as we can go. american special forces cannot eliminate — american special forces cannot eliminate isis, and really in the — eliminate isis, and really in the end _ eliminate isis, and really in the end only indigenous forces, whether— the end only indigenous forces, whether in ir

government iraq should complain to the american invaders. another news is that the rioters in baghdad blocked one of the roads leading to the american embassy in baghdad. the islamic resistance of iraq's anujbai movement also announced and emphasized the martyrdom of abu baqer al-saadi by issuing a statement. he will give a tough response to this terror and this crime will not go unpunished. following the martyrdom of abu baqer al-saadi, saud al-saadi, chairman. the justice committee of the iraqi parliament called for an extraordinary session of the iraqi parliament. the american embassy in baghdad is also afraid of the complicity of the demonstrators who protested the action of the united states in the martyrdom of abu baqer of saedi. are in standby mode. ali al-khoum, a member of the political office of yemen's ansarullah movement, said that we condemn the criminal invasion of the united states and the targeting of one of the commanders of the iraqi islamic resistance. hamas movement, assassination of the martyr, we are currently talking t

it used to be a sunni minority government in iraq, but iraq has always been a shiite majority country governed by saddam hussein, but it is a shiite majority country, which is how it has an association and affiliation with iran. talk about how this has all metastasized from attacks on shipping by one group, which is an iran proxy, to now the killing of three americans by another group which is an iran proxy. and how close does that bring us into direct conflict potentially with iran? >> such a good question. the through line is iran, of course. iran as the sponsoring country that arms, weaponizes all of these proxy groups. that doesn't necessarily direct them, and the u.s. has been careful to say that they hold iran responsible because they back these groups. that iran could perhaps stop them and has not stopped them. but they are separate groups and separate in different ways. the houthis are completely undisciplined and have been undeterred by all of the responses. hezbollah has been actually very disciplined. we have seen tit for tat along that northern border, but hezbollah, which

in iraq.ur teams here are _ resistance in iraq. our teams here are continuing i resistance in iraq. our teams here are continuing to i resistance in iraq. our teams here are continuing to do i resistance in iraq. our teams here are continuing to do thej here are continuing to do the analysis but we know that iran is behind it and certainly, as we've said before on this briefing room, iran continues to arm and equip these groups to arm and equip these groups to do these attacks. iran to arm and equip these groups to do these attacks.— to do these attacks. iran calls this baseless i to do these attacks. iran calls this baseless accusations i to do these attacks. iran calls this baseless accusations but| this baseless accusations but it said... united it says, united in its opposition against israel in the us. this axis includes the group between the tower 22 attack. iran axis includes the group between the tower 22 attack.— the tower 22 attack. iran is disrupting. _ the tower 22 attack. iran is

britain in western iraq. we discussed the issue and the growing anti-us sentiment in the region in our news review. let's listen up. it's time now for the news review of this bulletin. multiple political factions in iraq are demanding the withdraw of the us forces from the country's territory. factions say that this is in line with the parliamentary ratification that called on all foreign forces to leave iraq. the country first deputy parliamentary speaker says the ratification should be promptly. the popular mobilization units have also called on the government to defend the national sovereignty and dignity. the pmu chief says this is done when iraq is purged of all foreign presence. meanwile the islamic resistance in iraq says it will continue military operation against the us until american forces pull out of the west asian country. the developmentts come after us and british forces launched air strikes on western iraq on friday. the tax killed at least 16 people and wounded 36 others. is a journalist and

i syria and iraq, and iranian backed groups in syria and iraq.— groups in syria and iraq. think the wa s groups in syria and iraq. i think the ways white _ groups in syria and iraq. i think the ways white house - groups in syria and iraq. i think the ways white house wanted i groups in syria and iraq. i think. the ways white house wanted to send a message of strength. it wanted to have a strong enough deterrent to satisfy public opinion in the united states after the killing of these three american service people. and particularly in this election season. also i think president biden was under pressure from the republicans. he had to be seen to deliver a strong response. that response will not have been strong enough to satisfy many republicans who were calling for more and who specifically were saying that america should even attack iran on home soil. it was clear that the white house was not willing to do that. but i think the president has been trying to walk a fine line, having a strong enough response that perhaps would act as a deterrent to these iranian backed milit

there are roughly 5,000 us troops here in iraq. they here in iraq there is the the fall out of the political decision. the iraqi parliament voting yesterday to request that the government kick out us forces. uh, but the the broader issue is is that america will lose its influence within iraq and its ability. to act as a counterbalance to iranian ambitions within iraq. general qassem sulaymani was one of the central figure who made our involvement in syrian conflict possible, and he understood that all the people of the world should enter in the our resistance again against the global evil we're fighting against. tell us more about. and why he is such an enormous figure there? he is seen as an iconic symbol of resistance and martterdom. he is seen as in particular as a symbol of resistance to the americans and israelis in particular. it is the great fight of end and general general was totally aware of the meaning of the fight with. are leading, there is something religious in the symbolism of his death. general kassem suleimani was

the developmentts come after us and british forces launched air strikes on western iraq on friday. the tax killed at least 16 people and wounded 36 others. habib jaguri is a journalist and activist who joins us from adelade australia. welcome to the program. we're taking a look at the way that first of all the us is um acting very provocatively when it comes to the military strikes uh because uh hitting 85 targets or so is uh is quite uh is is rather large in terms of uh um inflaming uh not only the country of iraq but also the region as a whole which iran's foreign minister has said uh but what it what? amounts to is the violation of iraq sovereignty and in turn you have again calls uh which have not obviously been heated by the us for the us forces altogether to leave the country. do you think that this spells the end of it uh based on what has occurred of us forces to leave the country? thank you for having me. i think this is a sign of the usa's desperation and it's losing in the region entire region of the middle east especially in iraq in syria. the us has had a history of vi

clearly we all knew that _ in syria and iraq. clearly we all knew that they _ in syria and iraq. were _ in syria and iraq. clearly we all knew that they were coming. l in syria and iraq. clearly we all- knew that they were coming. when you have three soldiers killed as we did injordan, than the president had no choice but to respond. all it was, waiting on, was a calculation of how much and how far and when. certainly the communication from our side and the communication from our side and the iranian side is that we do not want this to escalate further. so although this was a large strike, i suspect it was punishing, in breadth and width, it would also stay within the confines of not escalating. there has been comments, commentary from the iranians but in part of that commentary has been that they would respond, but a significant part of the commentary is that they do not want to escalate this conflict. i do not want to escalate this conflict. ., ., ., , ., conflict. i want to ask you, investor. _ conflict. i want to ask you, investor, with _ conflict. i want to ask you, investor

i wonder what the us government officials would say if iraq launched a drone strike on new york. say of course there would be uh enraged, they would be in front of the united nations, but it's all right for the united states to do it, international law, human rights only are only, the us only abides by them when it is to their benefit in some way, the fact that this ongoing genocide in gaza is supported completely by the united states is just shows their complete hypocrisy, and this is just one thing us government seems to forget or has never learned is that when you kill a leader of a revolutionary group or resistance group, he or she is going to be replaced by dozen more. this does not end the resistance, it only strengthens it. thank you robert, and muslim, the resistance operations on so many us bases and interests in the region. what is the purpose of the anti-us oper? and what kind of message are they geared to send the occupiers in the region, especially the us and its allies that have taken up without the invitation room on syrian and especially soil. the message has always b

there was no warning to iraq. that set off not only in iraq and its government, but very privately, our nato allies were not warned and were there in full support with the u.s. operating in a rack and they had not been what, our closest allies. including britain. >> that is right. again, of course, there are those who say it wasn't a significant action from iran. so worries about the reaction some will say was overblown, but we shall see what happens next. certainly at least one of the militia under the islamic resistance were vowing to say we will carry on and carry out strikes and protest over gaza. also in order to try to push the americans out of this region. important to keep in mind when we think about that play from the iraqi government, they have this relationship with iran. the more that you warn the iraqi government about caring out strikes the more you warn iran because it is a pretty porous relationship so of course, this has been signaled for days and other analysts judging from this morning, one of t

to attack americans in iraq and syria. so i think this out is the key thing, but norris, i mean, how to, how do you want to professor around these accusations that the, the us is ultimately costs or all of this in a hit, for instance, he was a, he was saying that, but the u. s. is in syria, illegal in his stealing? it's oil. no, wait a 2nd, we're not sarah. legally. we went, they are when they are rocking government assets to protect the iraqi kurds in isis went up into syria. that's where we're there. we're not. they act fact, we've been criticized and not getting involved in the syrian civil war, which was part of the arc spring right on. i know you're waiting patiently, but i'll just throw it briefly back to the bahamas, where on the just to just do on so that and then we'll move on a book. i gave the evidence the book and go back to the email jake sullivan. they can go to the defense intelligence agency, document of 2012. they can go to michael fins interview on al 00. they can also go and look at the history of the us

forces were in iraq. since we left iraq. it is as best a form of iran's national security strategy to put these free floating electrons all over the area to do their external strategy. meanwhile inside of iran, you've got a whole lot of dysfunction from a national perspective. so this is their way of trying to keep their regional identity and keep control of the area and be seen as being powerful. it's not working. going back to your question though, what caused this sudden burst of energy, this campaign plan by the united states? i believe it's because we were playing whack a mole with all the small forces attempting to keep them under control and strike them and not sustain any damages and it just gets to a boiling point where the national security establishment of the united states says okay, enough is enough. now we have got to do something. i think this massive reaction again threading the needle between hurting these forces and ensuring there isn't a regional war is very difficult to do but it just comes to the point w

americans in afghanistan, in iraq, around the world. the problem you have is no administration to date, republican and democrat, have been willing to sow the root problem and that is iran. while a lot of people say we don't want to get involved in another middle east war, we also have to look at how many service members or americans are going to have to die before we are willing to adjust that root cause and begin to put the forces in place to be able to address it. iran can say whatever they want. the bottom line is they are responsible for the actions of their groups that they have empowered and enabled. in some ways if you look on the other side of the world, keep an eye on north korea. china uses them in the same way as iran uses iranian proxies. we need to make sure that we're able to respond. so we hold iran accountable because these groups would not exist and could not conduct these operations without the direct support that is coming from iran. >> neil: then the behavior has to change. the response to these kind of counter attac