Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 04, 2008 Adar1 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:25 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Ahmadinejad in Iraq / Baghdad's new strategic partner By Zvi Bar'el The historic visit to Iraq by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which began yesterday, suggests that Tehran is finding ways to bypass efforts to pressure it. On the eve of a UN Security Council discussion about another round of sanctions against Iran for its refusal to cease uranium enrichment, Ahmadinejad was photographed embracing Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president, in Baghdad. Iranian dignitaries may not be able to travel to New York due to the sanctions, but at the focal point of American strategic interests in the Middle East, Ahmadinejad is a welcome guest. U.S. President George Bush did warn Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, about Tehran's exports of lethal explosives to militants, who use them to kill Iraqi soldiers and civilians, but Maliki is interested in other exports from Iran - namely, the nearly $2 billion worth of goods it sells to Iraq every year. Ahmadinejad promises more trade, more joint ventures and investments worth $5 billion, which could jump-start Iraq's economy. Advertisement And while the United States is holding talks with Iraq on the details of a bilateral cooperation agreement that will define America's status in Iraq following a U.S. withdrawal, Ahmadinejad's arrival raises questions about Washington's ability to set up permanent military bases in Iraq in the future. The official visit by Iran's president also holds out a promise of cooperation and economic ties with the Kurdish autonomous region. If Turkey continues to pressure the PKK guerrillas and imposes sanctions on Kurdistan, Iran will become the Kurds' main economic outlet. With its links to the Kurds, its economic contribution to Iraq and its close political ties with the main Shi'ite parties, Iran is increasingly becoming a strategic partner of Iraq. Hence Washington's recognition of the need for political dialogue with Tehran about Iraq's future. But this development worries the Arab League, and especially Saudi Arabia, which is being faced with another large Shi'ite state on its borders. Bookmark to del.icio.us   In the line of fire Rights Group: Over 50% of Gaza casualties weren't militants. Uncle Sam blames you U.S. blames Hamas for sparking violence in south Israel, Gaza.

Today Online IDF pulls troops out of Gaza, Hamas declares 'victory' Responses: 260 PM: Peace talks to go on, as will attacks on Hamas Responses: 152 Issacharoff and Harel: Hamas wants lull, but only on its own terms Responses: 47 'We thought you wanted peace,' says father of slain Gaza sisters Responses: 134 U.K. Jewish pupils boycott Shakespeare test over Bard's anti-Semitism Responses: 75 More Headlines 01:03 UN Security Council approves tougher sanctions against Iran 22:40 Abbas: I'm ready to negotiate a truce between Israel, Hamas 00:47 Obama says United States should not meet with Hamas 21:13 Palestinian killed in IAF strike on rocket squad in northern Gaza 00:00 Haaretz journalist Ehud Asheri dies of cancer at 57 01:29 Prof.: Psychotropic plants made Moses hear 'voices' at Mt Sinai 00:00 Knesset okays law increasing financial aid to Holocaust survivors 01:52 Berlin to start sealing cracks in Holocaust memorial slabs 22:31 White House blames Hamas for sparking violence in south Israel 21:39 Arab ex-MK Azmi Bishara meets Syrian President in Damascus 21:27 Four Palestinians arrested after attacking police officers in E. Jerusalem Previous Editions Select Day 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved