tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post4219762446009961885..comments2024-02-29T12:38:32.191-08:00Comments on MUSINGS ON IRAQ: The Return Of The Special GroupsJoel Winghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09611810110771744360noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post-70592009925371740802009-07-30T12:21:52.184-07:002009-07-30T12:21:52.184-07:00Not sure they are directly related. Like I wrote, ...Not sure they are directly related. Like I wrote, I think it's more related to the elections. Big drop for the Jan. 09 elections, than increase, then probably another drop as the Jan. 2010 vote gets closer. Gen. Odierno just said that is the new focus of Iran, influencing the elections. I think Iran uses meetings and cash to influence the Shiite parties.Joel Winghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09611810110771744360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post-64337263837871182052009-07-30T09:36:45.344-07:002009-07-30T09:36:45.344-07:00I wonder how much of the ups and downs of Special ...I wonder how much of the ups and downs of Special Groups activities can be attributed to the Byzantine politics that one encounters in southern Iraqi politics and the relationships between the military, police, and the various Shi'ite parties and their closeness or distance from Iran.AndrewSshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12092217847584427587noreply@blogger.com