Quote Originally Posted by tequila View Post
...Crocker should focus as well on Iran's myriad and longstanding political ties to varying Iraqi factions, which are at least as important and probably far more so than whatever EFPs the Quds Force doles out to the "special groups".
Agreed.
...What this ignores is that the "special groups", even in the American description, are little more than independent contractors, mercenary gangs, and criminals masquerading as Shia resistance fighters.
True, thus my annoyance at the (intentional?) mis-labeling -- or misstating by our folks.
...The real Iraqi version of Hizbullah already exists in the ISCI, and it is more firmly ensconced in political power than Lebanese Hizbullah could ever dream, backed by the power of both Iran and the U.S.
I'm not sure the initial statement is correct and, while I agree to an extent with the last comment, I don't think it'll make a long term difference.