Much has been made in recent days of an apparent gaffe by John McCain. He has suggested, on several occasions that Iran and Al Qaeda are cooperating in Iraq -- even though Iran is a Shiite Muslim country and Al Qaeda a Sunni Muslim organization. Fox News documents the initial fracas:
Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting, mistakenly said Tuesday that Iran was allowing Al Qaeda fighters into the country to be trained and returned to Iraq.
McCain, expressing concern about Iran’s rising sway in the Mideast, said, “Al Qaeda is going back into Iran and is receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran.” He made the comments Tuesday at a news conference in Jordan; he made similar comments earlier to radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt.
Iran is a predominantly Shiite Muslim country and has been at pains to close its borders to Al Qaeda fighters of the rival Sunni sect.
Iran has been accused by the United States of funding, training and arming Iraqi Shiite militants in their uprising against the United States. But there have been no allegations by Washington and no evidence that Al Qaeda has benefited from Iranian assistance.
After Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut who was traveling with McCain, stepped forward to whisper in the candidate’s ear, McCain said: “I’m sorry; the Iranians are training the extremists, not Al Qaeda. Not Al Qaeda. I’m sorry.”
McCain's campaign later tried to retract his retraction, however, making the case that there was evidence that Al Qaeda and Iran are, in fact, cooperating. The campaign cited this report from the American Enterprise Institute, which declared:"Iran is the principal source of weapons, funding, training, and on-site advisers for a number of Sunni and Shiite insurgent and terrorist groups in Iraq."
From the beginning, Iran did not confine its support of anti-American fighters to Shia groups. It also supported Ansar al-Islam, a radical Sunni terrorist group with close ties to al Qaeda. ... More recently, Iranian arms dealers have supplied new weapons to al Qaeda in Iraq. A supply of arms flowed from Iran into al Qaeda strongholds in Salman Pak and Arab Jabour, presumably from the Iranian border to the south and east. From there, al Qaeda transported the munitions to Baghdad.
The campaign also cited the words of Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, then the No. 2 American commander in Iraq, during a July press conference:
Now, we all know that al Qaeda uses Iran and they do in some cases traffic some of their individuals through Iran to Iraq, but it's a very small number of people and it's mostly through the Kurdish regions up north, where you have the old Ansar al-Sunna connections. But beyond that, there is no specific connection between the Shi'a extremists -- excuse me -- the [Iranian] Quds Force operations and supporting the Shi'a extremists and that of al Qaeda, and supporting al Qaeda.
But the Washington Post's "Fact Checker" noted that McCain's campaign omitted a sentence from Odierno's transcript:
We don't see any evidence, significant evidence, that shows that [the Iranian-controlled] groups that are funding and providing arms to Shi'a extremists are directly related to al Qaeda.
The "Fact Checker" ended up giving McCain two Pinnochios for attempting to link Iran and Al Qaeda:
There is no reason to doubt the statements by U.S. generals that some of the weapons and munitions used by Sunni extremists in Iraq can be traced back to Iran. Odierno's statement about movements of "a small number" of al Qaeda personnel through Iran to Iraq also seems quite credible. But it is a big stretch to conclude from these statements that Iran is providing organized support for al Qaeda in Iraq.
The charge that McCain mixed up Sunnis and Shiites is probably unfair. After numerous trips to Iraq, the senator surely understands the difference between the two ethnic groups. Nevertheless, the evidence that the McCain camp has produced to back up the senator's claims for Iranian support for al Qaeda in Iraq is ambiguous and inconclusive. At the very least, McCain is guilty of gross over-simplification on an extremely sensitive national security matter.
Politifact, another fact-checking Web site, agreed, ranking McCain's claim as "false:"
Most experts do not believe Iran is helping al-Qaida because their respective religious affiliations are at odds with each other. Both sides are Muslim, but the Iranian government is Shiite while al-Qaida is Sunni. And al-Qaida adheres to a fundamentalist form of Sunni Islam that considers Shiites to be apostates. It's not likely the two groups would work together, certainly not "common knowledge."
In Iraq, both al-Qaida and Shiite extremists are commonly believed to be committing acts of violence. But it was al-Qaida that was behind the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, not Shiite extremists.
Under Saddam Hussein, Sunnis were the ruling class of Iraq, even though the country was majority Shiite. That division has hurt U.S. efforts to unify the country.
So: Al Qaeda and Iran are in cahoots in Iraq. Truth or not?
Thoughts
Really!
Submitted on April 23rd, 2008 by PabloJust because a Terrorist is upset because one lunatic wanted to take claim for another lunatics actions proves nothing.
You seem to forget that within the Islamic community lies are common place.
Saddom Hussain lied and then made changes to his family tree and then made his own version of the Quran to show he was a decendent of Muhammad and that he was back in 1998 the Islamic communities defender against extremism and the west.
Now you have Iran taking up that flag which was first held by Al Queda and now Al Queda is mad that the Iranians are making the claim.
But you seem to forget about Osmas Hazara fighters. They are Shiites!!!!!
Geez please know what you are taking about rather than pointing to political postering.
The example you gave between Iran and Al Queda is simular to the Obama verses Clinton as far as politcal style infighting.
Does not mean that they have not worked together nor prove that they will not work together in the future.
But one thing is cetain and provable. Al Queda had a shiites and they were known as Osama's Hazara freedom fighters.
Enough said! Please go to school or ask an expert before you talk on this subject.
I have lived in Pakistan and Afganistan in the mid 1990s. I definately know more about it than you!
Last lesson for silly conspiracy theorist
Submitted on April 23rd, 2008 by Bull MooseBin Laden's second in command Ayman al-Zawahri issued a rebuke of Iran via audiotape accusing Iran of spreading lies about who was responsible for 9/11.
Seems Al-Qaida is angry for anyone denying that is was Al-Qaida alone who should get the credit for striking at the Great Satan.
Al-Zawahri depicts Al-Qaida as the Arab's top defense against Persian Iran's rising power in the Middle East.
Case closed and class dismissed.
Oh, but see a shrink about this Saladin fetish. He has nothing to do with this silly conspiracy.
YOu need to go back an get more class time
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by PabloYou seem to forget that several countries have changed hands including Saudi Arabia as to control between the sects. Although the Sunnis have controls most holy sites they have not always controled the areas of land mass that we see today as the countries on a map.
The difference between my lesson and yours is when in history it happened.
But the truth is that the basics that led to the conflicts between your lesson and my are the same.
I noticed that you did not wish to address specifically the issue of Saladin and what he did and how he conducted Jihad and what he did as a result of Jihad in Persia and Egypt as well as Palestine.
I have just as much knowledge on Islamic matters as you if not more.
But when you discuss the root cause of the issues between Sunni and Shiite then you have to go back to the 6th and 7th centuries and it has nothing to do with your example at all.
Your example has more to do with medevil alliances than the differences between sunni and shia that shifted again in the 1800s and early 20th century which has more to do with today's problems than your paltry lesson.
History lesson time again
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by Bull MooseShi'ite fanatics called Safavids ruled Persia from 1500 to the mid-1700s.They were founded by Isma'il the first,Shah of Iran. They were the first native dynasty to rule Iran in 800 years.
They fought constantly with Sunnis who were under the yoke of the Ottoman empire during this time.
Persianized Turks under Babur establsihed the Mughal dynasty after defeating the Delhi Sultanate in 1526. These Mughals,starting with Akbar, suppressed Shi'ite Muslims as well as Hindus in southern India. However this struggle weakened the Mughals by the late 1600s.
The Safavids strengthened the Persian empire with beautiful mosques in Isfahan as one example of their influence in Persia culture and solidifying Shi'ite dominance in the area known today as Iran.
Just because crooks help other crooks sometimes does not create honor among thieves. Sunni and Shi'ite want to rule Islam just like the Catholics call themselves the one true church. As do the Mormons,Baptist and others who pervert the body of Christ,which is His true church.
The fight for control of Islam is why the Saudis and other Sunni dominated countries hedge their bets and keep the strife alive so as to keep any one group from getting too powerfull. Class dismissed.
The islamic question is not silly
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by PabloThe problem that most Americans and the west have is that they simply do not understand the complex issues of the Islamic question.
Ever since the death of Muhammad there have always been two sects. the Shi ites and the Sunnis.
The sunnis won the civil war and established themselves as the Caliphs and kings of most islamic states. Iran was the exception. It was were most of the losing Shi ites went to after that civil war. The rest went to Egypt.
But tell me was Saladin a shi ite or a Sunni?
Guess what he was neither! He was a Kurd!
He started off alined with the Shiites then turned against them and deposed them while taking up the cause of Jihad.
What people seem to misunderstand is that Islam has been in virtual civil war since the middle ages. They stop for periods of time and even work together at other times. Yet they do still try and kill each other.
Exmple was the 3rd Crusade. Where the Shiites and the Sunnis made a truce of Demascus to fight the christians of Jerusalem. Up till that truce they were fighting. In fact, history will point out that two armies of Islam fought each other just after a victory over a Christian Army where all the Shiites were slaughtered.
The best example in micro is palastinian politics. where you have two separate groups one being shiite and the other sunni.
Go ahead and look up how many times they have tried to kill each other over the last 10 years. Then look up how many times they have combined under the general flag of the PLO to fight in Isreal and Lebenon.
Its not like anything we in the west understand. Americans think that Islam is like Germany or Japan or even Vietnam where there was a common enemy united in its cause or not.
The problem of the Islamic question is that Shiites and Sunnis do at times stop trying to kill each other to go an kill someone else.
However, they still do hate each other and still wage war against each other which confuses most people including many Americans who seem to think that Sunni is Al Queda and Shiites are not that bad or just a separate group headed by Iran.
The real truth is that it is both. They are both supporters of Terrorism independently and they openly try to kill each other daily monthly and yearly. Yet while they do try to kill each other, they do have times when they stop their little war just long enough to attack a common enemy in their eyes.
Its this contridiction that people miss and look twice the fool when it shows up.
The best example in the last year was the Isreali offensive in the city of Jenin in Isreal where Hamas was waring with Hezbola but suspended that confict to fight the Isrealis for 21 days.
Its things like this that debunk those who think that Shiites and sunnis cannot work together.
So people please stop spreading ignorance or assumptions because some Democrat or other ignorant person is spreading more ignorance.
Silly conspiracy theories never cease
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by Bull MooseIran mosque recently bombed by fellow muslim enemy, Taliban murdered Iranian envoys to Afghanistan before 9/11,Sunni's bomb Shia in Pakistan and vice versa regularly,Shia on Shia and Shia on Sunni violence every day in Iraq and elsewhere,and on and on.
The Muslim wars are no different than the Catholic vs. Protestant wars that spread through Europe from the early 1500's through the 18th century.Even in Philadelphia in the late 1700's you had street battles between Protestant and Catholics ala Belfast.
But i quess ignorance is as ignorance says with these self appointed experts om Muslim strife. Bottom line, Shia and Sunni muslims are enemies and the Persian Shia will not stop untill they control Mecca and Medina. Class dismissed.
Pablo is right!!!
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by koolmom21Pablo is right. All muslim people will come together for Jihad!
Jihad-Islamic campaign against nonbelievers: a campaign waged by Muslims in defense of the Islamic faith against people, organizations, or countries regarded as hostile to Islam.
It has already been going on for years. The war will continue much long than it would if NATO and other counties would become more active in rooting out the evil empire of the Peaceful Religion of Islam. Palestinians received millions of dollars from other Muslim countries to win the war- Jihad. Do you ever watch the news? Iran's president already said he wants to wipe us and Israel of the face of the map! WAKE UP AMERICA BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE-PLEASE!
And and a sucker born every minute
Submitted on April 16th, 2008 by PabloSheesh, Do you even know what is what when it comes to islam? Obviously not.
Do you even know what the call of Jihad is much less how it is answered? Obviously not.
Do you know what Al Queda's call is? Nope your in total blindness.
What is the foundation of Jihad as expressed by Saladin and is the current format for the call of Jihad?? nope still being lost and spreading more blindness through out right lies.
Look, Iran admits that they are meeting with Al Queda. They even hosted a meeting on jihad as reported by their own newspapers. Sheesh don't you get it?
AL Queda has moved beyond Sunni and Shia. Do you even read the newspapers about Al Queda in the philippines? They are not Sunni! They are Shi ites! Just as Hizbollah is shi ite and Hamas is Sunni yet the PLO is a combination of both and do work together at times to attack Isreal and US interest while at the same time having a virtual civil war between the two sects.
There is no resolution to the sunni shi ite question. It is a true foundational issue that will one day cause an all out sectarian war engulfing all islamic states. Yet, they do cooperate and do work together under certain situations like in Pakistan and in Palistine / Lebenon.
Its when they do work together that its always under the flag of Jihad such with the war in Afganistan with Russia. You had sunni and shia jihadist. True that the majority was sunni in that conflict but there was still a significan number of shias which mirrors across the border in Pakistan and how the shia sunni relationship there is currently functioning.
So stop spreading ignorance please.
And the Tooth Fairy is real too
Submitted on April 16th, 2008 by Bull MooseOne more time kids, Al Qaeda is Bin Laden's Wahabbi sect of Sunni muslim extremist.Iran has been a Shia dominated country since the 1500's.
Shia and Wahabbi Sunnis are mortal enemies.They do not agree on the succession of the Caliphate,which arose around 660 AD.
Study your history and maybe you will not be so ignorant and gullible to propaganda from the Military Industrial Complex,the ones laughing all the way to the bank over this Iraq folly.
sheesh at least know what your talking about
Submitted on April 14th, 2008 by PabloThe truth about Iraq in general is this.
1.Saddam lied and he was a liar.
2. Saddam used chemical WMD on both his people and on Iran.
3. Saddam said he would use WMD on Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAB, and would also give WMD to any Terrorist group who asked for it.
Given that Saddam had some WMD, and used WMD and then Lied about how much he really had is the reason why the whole world did what they did in 2001 and 2002.
Because Saddom made some very wild statements saying he was going to give WMD to Terrorists who were known to have attacked US interest Bush acted with 34 other countries to prevent that WMD mainly Nerve Gas sarin and A blistering agent known as Red creap which is a modern version of mustard gas to other types of biologicals.
It always nice to have 20/20 to look at mistakes. But in 2001 and 2002 in the wake of September 11 and the fact that Iraq and several other Islamic countries were in fact cheering for Osama Bin Laden and predging all sorts of things to his cause. Palistians were the most vocal in their pledge of support to Osama Bin Laden along with Syria, Iran, Sudan, Yemen, and guess who, Saddam and Iraq.
Had September 11 not happened, then it would be highly unlikely that Saddam would have made the pledge and would reject Osama Bin Laden.
But its amazing how much people have forgotten or chose to remain blind to the facts of 2001 to early 2002.
Its always nice to play what if. But the facts remain the same. We went to Iraq and we are in Iraq.
So for politicians and idiots to play the what if is irresponsible and moronic. I would rather listen to how we will win a war and how we will end the conflict on the war on Terror where American citizen can travel the world and not worry that some mulsim terrorist will not cut his head off.
Iraq is just one front on a larger picture in the on going war on Terror.
What people seem to miss is the most important thing.
Why Iraq is important to the War on Terror.
To answer this as simple as possible is to put it this way.
Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda along with all other extremist groups have placed Iraq as the central battlefield.
If America wins, Al Queda will fall and Osama Bin Laden will be made a liar and all the leaders will be shown as liars and false.
If Democrats win the white house and force America to lose in Iraq, then Al Queda wins and the number of terrorists will be exponential and those countries that are sitting on the sidelines will turn into terrorist harbors or become terrorist states.
America will become like Israel with bombs going off on the street corner of hometown USA just because an Idiot politician does not understand simple national security and what is at stake in the over all war on Terror.
A Win in Iraq will draw to a close the over all war on Terrorism as a global event. It will not stop it. However, it will reduce it back to what Terrorism was before Al Queda.
al-qaeda & iran in cahoots
Submitted on April 10th, 2008 by Anonymouswell, you ARE ignorant to say there were no weapons of mass destruction. you weren't alive when saddam used poisoness gas on the kurds? was that gas just dumped on them from a flying saucer? if he had it then don't you think he had them later. and don't you even think syria or some cooperating country helped get it removed? my g-d we certainly gave him enough time to get it all out. we were so patient with him, i know he appreciated that.
al-qaeda & iran in cahoots
Submitted on April 10th, 2008 by Anonymousoh that's NEAT. is that really that important to you - simply using a term that signifies the age in which you grew up? did you like my word NEAT? i use that because of the age in which i grew up! you also will be cited for using words when you're older that you grew up with. shame upon you!
ignorance reigns once again
Submitted on April 10th, 2008 by Anonymousthis is the most informed & intelligent & concise report on the subject. people just never listened in their history classes. these folks do WHATEVER it takes to put down a COMMON enemy & then go back to business as usual. pretty smart, huh? in fact everyone does this! two brothers fighting - a third party interferes - boom - both brothers fight the intruder & then back to same as before! COMMON sense should tell you all that this is a rule of thumb as we say. get it? soooo simple!
Ignorance reigns once again!
Submitted on April 4th, 2008 by PabloMany people seem to think that Al Queda and Iran can not be on the same side. How wrong you would be to think that.
Most Americans do not know the difference between Sunni and Shi ites.
Nor does most Americans know the Quran and its fundamental requirements of all Muslims concerning infedels and whom it calls infedels or Kaffers.
A history lesson is in order here. Al Queda's fundamental doctrine came from Iran! Though the main players are not Iranians. Does Al Queda have Iranians in their ranks? YES!
Does Al Queda have Shi ites as part of its higher leadership? YES The fact Al Queda has been holding high level meetings with Iranian Quds Forces speaks volumes since June 2005 when Iran made it known in its own newspapers! Although most Sunnis consider Shi ites as infidels the same is true for Shi ites seeing Sunnis as infedels. The common thread is Jihad. Under Jihad, Shi ites and Sunnis work together for the common goal of spreading Islam by the sword. See the call of Saladin when he united all of islam to wage war against the west and against the Christians to spawn two different crusades as a response to Saladin's attacks on Christian travelers and cities.
So in times of full Jihad, Sunni and Shi ite do work together until the war is over. They then go back to the age old conflict of who should rule Islam after the death of Muhammad which is the basis of each sect. Each sect's leaders after the death of Muhammad made their doctrines in accordance with what they both claimed was the will of Allah and Muhammad. It spawned a civil war which still rages as the conflict we see as the Sunni - Shi ite violence.
But the truth is that Sunni and Shi ites can and have thoughout history fought together for a common cause. See Invasion of Spain by the Amorvids in 711CE by Tarif abu Zura, See Conquest of Balkans by a Shi ite leader who was an Ottoman who lead a near all Sunni Army into what is now Bosnia in 1324CE.
Think of Islam as two brothers fighting with each other with all their might. But have a non brother get in the Brother's way and both brothers will stop fighting each other to fight together the new person they think is an intruder in their personal issues. Never mind that their fight was to the death. They will try to kill that person whom they feel is nosing in their way right or wrongly.
Thus anyone who even remotely says Shi ites and Sunnis can never be on the same side is an idiot! Not only an Idiot but an ignorant fool who spreads nothing but more ignorance.
AlQaeda and Iran in cahoots with Iraq.
Submitted on April 2nd, 2008 by AnonymousI dont think so. I belive Iraq is doing the best that they can, But Iran want to keep them as an unstable government so when certain political party are pressured to pull out U.S. troops from Iraq, Iran can take over Iraq for monitarie means (oil). Same thing Iran has been tring doing since the Iraq/Iran war.
How stupid can one get
Submitted on March 31st, 2008 by lee222How stupid can one get that wants to be president. McCain is lucky to find the bath room with out help in the mornings and people want this IDIOT for a president? The man that has it together is one some of you haven't heard of Wayne Root. this man knows what is going on all the time. check him out out WWW.WayneRoot.com McCain should be in a rest home in his own state, he wont do any good for us.
Al Quaeda and Iraq in cahoots?
Submitted on March 30th, 2008 by TJNichols"Cahoots." McCain's really showing his age using that ole, cornball expression.
Anyway, yes, of course they're in cahoots. And there are also weapons of mass destruction, ack ack.
Reply to Rubbish
Submitted on March 30th, 2008 by AnonymousOld Middle Eastern Saying:
"THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND."
I agree with Iran is Pragmatic.
Besides, maybe Saddam shipped some of his WMD over the border while we were trying to build a coalition???
Re: Who is going to Bail US Out??
Submitted on March 30th, 2008 by AnonymousRe, Who is going to bail US out?
Wow, to recap views of post.
>Let Israel bomb & pay for bombing Iran
>US to be bankrupt in 5-15 yrs
>Gas will be $10/gallon when Iran is invaded
>We consume more than we produce
>Spend more than we have
>US citizens to soon be in Chinese slave camps
>McCain is taking economic classes from Bush
>Cheney is evil and real garbage
>If we nuke Mid-east let's get too it
>Us needs to steal resources to prevent collapse
>Put all Repulican administration in jail
>Nancy Pelosi is a republican mole
Other than that things aren't too bad. Possibly the newly elected US administration in November can utilize individuals in their cabinet with these optomistic and forward thinking ideas.
Not Everyone
Submitted on March 30th, 2008 by AnonymousWe're not. (At least) $3 trillion more in debt.
But I want to take the time to congratulate you on being the very first person on this board who knows how to spell. Good going!
Who Is Going To Bail US Out?
Submitted on March 30th, 2008 by AnonymousLet Israel bomb and pay for bombing Iran. We gave 'em all the weapons they'll ever need. They are not looking at going completely bankrupt in 5-15 years as we are. What is going to happen to US? Who is going to bail US out? And when gas is $10 a gallon, as it will be when the invasion begins, regardless of who does the invading, we can all rejoice.
We have long been consuming more than we produce. Spending more than we have. Am I imagining too much being in Chinese slave-labor camps standing in long lines for our daily rice rations?
Has McCain taken any more economic classes than Bush? And Cheney, the real president, is pure evil. One giant piece of garbage.
If we are going to nuke the mid-east and kill them all, let's get too it. We have to steal all their natural resources in a hurry to save this nation of ours from complete collapse. How can one administration do so much damage in 7 years.
Seeing them all behind bars is not enough and won't happen with Republican moles like Nancy Pelosi around. 295 more days, yeah, baby!
Fascism rocks! Time to turn on FOX for more "fair and balanced" news.
another idiot wants to be a president
Submitted on March 30th, 2008 by Anonymousthis is very ambarrasing to see a vice presindant making thouse type of mistakes to the general public , and why is evry one surpise that the iraqi peoples are fighting back for ther ocuupied country does that make them a teroriste , most of the american peoples are so brain wash bye the media run bye the zionist like msnbc , cnn , and peoples like glen back ,wofl blitzer ,ect...you want peace than get out of irac , and leave ther oil aloneand you have the odasity to call them terroriste
ok OMG
Submitted on March 29th, 2008 by AnonymousOh ok OMG, sounds like you are sitting right in the middle of Baghdad as you send this note out. Thanks for the information, please update us after your briefings with Nuri al-Maliki and Mahmoud Ahminijad.
OMG
Submitted on March 29th, 2008 by Anonymousthere is actually a civil war between shiite and sunnite in IRAQ. Dont start saying they support each other. that wold be the most ridiculous statement ever.
And still, Most of baasist and tribal leader of sunni area are against al-quaeda. Thoses who served sadam hussein always fought against al-quaeda. now they joined the USA in their fight againtt al-quaeda and the shiite in the south or IRAQ. Iran is another play who support the south and nothing more.
Stop being confused like hell !! Get your information before you speak !! it's all available.
Shiite/Sunni/Capitalist Extremism
Submitted on March 29th, 2008 by politico1Politico1
I am a Sunni - and an old American woman with Middle Eastern experience having lived there for almost 20 years. I can speak with some first-hand knowledge on this subject. Shiites and Sunnis have been enemies for centuries. Both have extremist elements and would not give any aid or quarter to the other. Iran's leaders, like Iraq's Saddam Hussein would not have supported any group with any extremist view, only because they want to protect their own security. I would suggest that aside from that, Iran would sell weapons to anyone for economical reasons - just like the US goverment sells weapons to everyone and in fact sells out her whole economy to any country, even those who do not have America's best interests at heart and who have decidedly opposing views on human rights and other issues. Look at our relations with China and our sales of weapons to both Israel and Arab countries. Everyone is making money out of the Middle East turmoil.
Iran is pragmatic
Submitted on March 28th, 2008 by lcu59It doesn't bother them to fund Sunni groups like AlQaeda, as long as they're fighting the same enemies. Just like Saddam had no problem funding Shia Hezbollah. Is Iran working through AQ exclusively? No. But are they doing their best to facilitate their "insurgency?" I say yes. After all, a Sunni homicide bomb gets rid of two problems simultaneously: a heretic and Americans or their allies. What's not to like?
Iran is a Danger
Submitted on March 28th, 2008 by AnonymousIran is a danger to the entire region. Instability in other countries is what they desire. McCain is right in the respect that Iran is exporting terrorism.
Rubbish?
Submitted on March 28th, 2008 by AnonymousIt's not about Sunni & Shiite extremists joining hands, it's about having a common goal, to wipe out Israel and western society. Those who believe extremists in the muslim faith have not or will not join together because of religious differences are badly mistaken. The extremist entities hide behind their religion to carry out acts of murder and when convenient change the interpretation of their religion to fit the commom goal. Since when has any extremist let a good suicide bombing or terrorist act get in the way of their religion? If these people were so concerned about adhering to their religion, why are they not following the...Do not murder innocent people rule?
rubbish
Submitted on March 28th, 2008 by Anonymousthis is utter rubbish
Al-Qaeda follows the salafi version of ISlam there is no WAY they would join hands with people who in their religion curse the sahaba (companions of the prophet Muhammed [saw]) this is all complete rubbish. All you have to do is look up salafi verdicts on the shi'ites to see their view towards them. they are seen as heretics and a stain on the name of Islam.
Iran and McCain
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by Chuck_JohnsonMaybe he just didn't mind his 'q's and misspoke.
That said, we know for a fact that Iran has an interest in Iraq, particularly among their Shiite groups.
Is it really so farfetched to think that neighboring countries would have a concern in each others' affairs?
Chuck Johnson is a student at Claremont McKenna College. Feel free to contact him.
Most of these so-called
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by AnonymousMost of these so-called "votes" are silly exercises. We the voters usually don't have enough information to have a valid opinion. Of course facts have never kept folks from rendering an authoritative, vigorous dissent or affirmation. These votes are generally pre-determined by the underlying bias of the voter.
Attempted Gotcha
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by AnonymousWhy is this Iran/Al Qaeda connection or making of a connection such a negative thing to the candidate? When this story broke (if one can call it that) news outlets and mouth pieces for the democratic presidential candidates attempted to spin this as though McCain lied about something or did someting wrong. Lanny Davis of the Clinton Camp tried to put it on par with the Bosnia sniper fire whopper story for pete's sake. It's fair game to criticize and disagree with policies, but with McCain dirt is being sought after that is just not there.
Re: Sunni vs. Shia
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by Jim LakelyReally? That's all you've got? Because I've got several stories outlining how Shia Iran is arming Iraqi Sunnis to the hilt.
Sunni vs. Shia
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by AnonymousIran is shia and Al Qaeda is sunni end of story
Not gotcha
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by JoelIt's not gotcha, because:
* McCain's campaign retracted his correction and started making the case for the connection.
* As you can see from Jim's post, there's a lot of people who do believe there is a connection.
So no, gotcha not intended.
Iran & Al Qaeda
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by AnonymousWhy are some playing the gotcha game on this topic with McCain? As stated in previous post McCain corrected himself immediately. Perhaps this is a very weak attempt to somehow parallel the dishonesty of one candidate for claims of running for cover under sniper fire in Bosnia or another candidate for having a certified bigot as a personal spiritual advisor for 23 plus years. Well if this one does not get McCain maybe the NY Times can throw out another non-factual cheating scandal on this man and see if that sticks.
No no no...
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by AnonymousAmerica must stop policing the world, we created Al Queda and put them into power years ago, now were spending trillions to take them out? THEY'RE NOT EVEN A THREAT! 9/11 easily preventable, we need to concern ourselves with domestic affairs like ostracizing these lying hate-mongers who give terrorists their only power: AMERICAN FEAR.
Iran and al-Qaida
Submitted on March 27th, 2008 by Jim LakelyWell, if you don't think Osama's outfit and his satellite in Iraq are connected, I guess there is little to discuss. Me? I think that when Iran is training and equipping AQI ... well ... there's enough of a connection for me to vote "yes."
But I see that I am in the minority.
Brian
Submitted on March 26th, 2008 by AnonymousThe idea that you could debate something like this is silly. McCain corrected himself. Lieberman corrected him too. You can't vote and make it true.
How about we discuss something we don't know the final outcome or answer to?
This is like debating if Lincoln was American. Vote however you want but it doesn't change history.