troops in iraq but also even a new an influence in iraq so if iraq ease today as cornered and are forced to choose between the u.s. and iran who is the safest choice for them the safest choice is to have both of them. leave iraq the entire reason why why this escalation or this the tension escalated between the u.s. and iran is because both of them were trying to orchestrate something that would pull the attention away from the iraqi uprisings that began in early october the iraqi led a rocky youth led movement that began in early october 2019 flip the entire equation the equation of the balance of power between several regional power players in iraq where beyond the u.s. and the iranian rivalry in iraq but if we were to look at both of them if we look at the consequence of the sequence of the of the events starting from the base in a kind of cool corner the american contractor civilian got killed it's very obvious that iran try to orchestrate something to pull the attention away from the protests that carried a very heavy anti iran sentiment a very heavy sentiment against the iranian do

in iraq. >> good afternoon. my name is tamara kharroub, i'm the assistant executive director and senior fellow at the arab center in washington, d.c. thank you for joining us for this important and timely discussion focusing on the implications, regionally and internationally, of the recent developments between and escalations between iran and the united states and the killing of qassem soleimani. as you know, on january 3rd, an american airstrike ordered by u.s. president donald trump killed the top iranian military commander qassem soleimani. iran responded by attacking two military bases in iraq that host american forces. the last weeks have seen sequence of violent events and escalations, both before and after this major incident with varying degrees and impact. today, we seek to discuss the implications on three levels. first, domestically in iran. with the iranian regime continuing to face protests and a crumbling economy, especially after the shooting down of the ukrainian commercial pl

wants to tell the story that iran's asserting a vice like grip over iraq and that essentially iraq's become if you like an iranian college colony whilst iran maintains actually it's a partner to iraq it wants to help rebuild and supports its neighbor and yet parts of the criticism we're hearing today is that this p.m.s. protest at the embassy is simply an attempt to draw attention away from the peaceful protesters. i think it's pretty clear no matter how one frames it that the americans have repeatedly bombed the popular mobilisation groups and they murdered many of them and the accusations that they have attacked american positions are simply american accusations there is there's been no court of law in iraq that has proven this and if the popular mobilisation supporters and their people do not leave the gates of the u.s. embassy. during the goetia asians with the iraqi government possibly it's because it's linked to the fact that the iraqi government told americans not to bomb them and they did so they're not going to sit probably they're vulnerable being be prepared to be bombed a

troops being asked to leave iraq president trump said that 1st iraq would have to pay us back for the enormous base that we built and the enormous military base that we built the iraqis and they would have to pass back for the enormous embassy that we built as it invited here as the invasion into iraq you know it's the beginning to be here. i think. they're very grateful that they paid that need to get to america and that all. and. i think didn't so far i can say they're getting lately to get a lot of takes but. well he would go ahead yes . what everything like you know is what i'm what i'm sure. he will allow hillary to. this issue of america. he will continue. on the issue of america and iran i think the people of iraq are split. into 2 camps some of them and this is a think more all of the kurds the sunnis who thought their own peace could to parliament session that the resolution saying asking for the u.s. to pull out of. iraq they boycotted the session and the mood on the street is that the u.s. must persist stay because iraq still is unable to stand on its feet because of the th

presence in iraq. it's so divided especially as of late 2 days ago the problem is session then we saw only 328 members only 170 showed up which is all of them was from one to broke and we know that actually to. some the shia outlives so basically this is actually the issue that is why there was a prediction and we mostly aimed at the country is that the caucuses will get waning and end in american and the polling militias included and that is the key clue and it's really stolen. seem out for a wankel today 'd. strike that happened today in a block from the iranian side you didn't hear the same voices fail to act with the end they are trying and trying that's taking the law from a lot of the governments are a lot united in them. and protect the difficulty of the country. he won just wondering where the anti-government protests are standing right now we're a rack is under a different kind of a fred because of the back and forth between iran and the us. and i'm going to push back i'm going to push not goi

wants to tell the story that iran's asserting a vice like grip over iraq and that essentially iraq's become if you like an iranian college colony whilst iran maintains actually it's a partner to iraq it wants to help rebuild and supports its neighbor and yet parts of the criticism we're hearing today is that this p.m.s. protest at the embassy is simply an attempt to draw attention away from the peaceful protesters. i think it's pretty clear no matter how one frames it that the americans have repeatedly bombed the popular mobilisation groups and they murdered many of them and the accusations that they have attacked american positions are simply american accusations the there's been no court of law in iraq that has proven this and if the popular mobilisation supporters and their people do not leave the gates of the u.s. embassy. during the gauche ations with the iraqi government possibly it's because it's linked to the fact that the iraqi government told americans not to bomb them and they did so they're not going to sit probably they're vulnerable being be prepared to be bombed again

especially since the us invasion of iraq in 2003, soleimani has driven the iranian expansion into iraq, into syria, into yemen, afghanistan and pakistan to some extent and has consolidated the control of the revolutionary guards inside iran and planted sleeper cells and trained rebels in saudi arabia, bahrain and other places in the region. he has been one of the most destabilising figures and has certainly been the mastermind behind the post—2003 hegemonic iranian expansion into the region and support for lebanese hezbollah. so he was a very high level target to take out, and i think iranian strategy and probably some of their implementation will suffer without him at the helm. interesting you rate it as that significant and i want to get back to soleimani and indeed the wider iranian influence in iraq a little later in the interview, but one more point on the issue of lawfulness. you very carefully say it's really not for you to judge the lawfulness or not, i would put it to you that as a us ambassador long—standing, it really does matter to you and now your successor in baghdad

next either on the ground in iraq from iraq or from someplace else because clearly the u.s. has interests dotted all around the middle east the pentagon a senior saying quote we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend u.s. personnel partners and allies in the region but that statement from the pentagon not being too cynical about it that's just chaff that's giving themselves time to think about not reacting not overreacting and not under reacting because the relationship is so combustible so tinder dry is there a sense there in washington john that they've got to get it right. absolutely there is real consternation on capitol hill normally when the u.s. is facing a military crisis like this the population tends to support the action even if they later don't they tend to support the leadership and in congress you tend to have democrats and republicans both on one side but as this situation has escalated it's really become a partisan issue here in washington as well joe biden the democratic presidential candidate for vice president spoke out today saying that tr

iraq emitted bases hosting u.s. troops it's to iran's retaliation against the assassination of us him so they money but will this revenge operation stop there and might washington strike back this is inside story. hello welcome to the program. there's been much speculation about the scale and target of iran's retaliation to the assassination of its top military commander a money and there's also speculation about whether the killing of the head of the revolutionary guards elite force could bring all out war to the middle east iran find more than a dozen besides a 2 air bases hosting american forces in iraq early wednesday it's the most direct attack on the u.s. by iran in decades initial statements by both countries seem to say they don't want further escalation the iranian foreign minister exact words were it one took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defense to runs made it clear it will strike again if washington responds as for u.s. president donald trump it waited all is well after iran struck well i

into iraq. creating a proxy war in iraq use oil which has no reason and no need for it if there is a problem between the united states of america between the united states and iran as well take between themselves why involving iraq why attack iraq soldiers in retaliation. this is something that there is no need for it it will definitely need to do to ration of diplomatic relationship between iraq and. and will definitely effected the presence of american soldiers american fighting forces here in iraq but r.t. has spoken to the group targeted by the u.s. could type hezbollah has what their spokes person had to say about what's been happening. there without the americans striking this particular force in iraq want to present their actions as a fight against iranian influence but that is not after being attacked by the gangs of eisel it was the iraqi people who were the rebuff and resistance not the iranians. the concluded strategic framework agreement between the usa and iraq does not allow the am

iraq will suffer a lot of the americans will leave iraq. i think iraq should compose a policy towards americans, they will compose policies towards iran, we have now massive demonstrations taking place in iraq, not acknowledging the government and not really acknowledging the parliament and there are 500 people at least have been killed so far, yesterday one of my people was killed, assassinated in baghdad. i want to talk about the internal protests in iraq in a moment but let's stick with the diplomacy and the politics concerning the united states and iran. we know that qasem soleimani built an incredibly strong intelligence and military network inside your country, inside iraq. that's correct, yes. he used the people's mobilisation forces, he used his connections inthe defence ministry and intelligence ministry to in essence control much of what was happening inside iraq. that's why we don't accept this, that's why we don't accept iran domination of iraq. i don't accept this. do you have any choice? we have choices. we have choices to bui

troops in iraq here's some of it in due deference to the sovereignty of the republic of iraq the combined joint task force will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for on wood movements more on the summit gabriel is on though in washington d.c. gabriel there are mistakes and then there's a sending out alessio which says your troops are leaving it's hard to understand how this has happened. yeah and that's i think what the pentagon is doing now is they're trying to sort out how did this happen it is absolutely remarkable that the pentagon would have had a mistake this bad and to put it in a context we have to remember kemal that it was just over the weekend that the iraqi parliament had that non-binding vote to expel u.s. troops again it was non-binding but it was a vote in parliament considering to push out u.s. troops that is important because shortly after that letter came out after that vote in parliament president trump tweeted no we have no plans of leaving ok fine so then this letter comes out and the 1st words of the letter are from this

military presence in iraq now trump is been threatening iraq with sanctions making you have to pay for these bases while the u.s. and its allies in baited in 2003 illegally i don't see why the iraqis have to pay one cent as a matter fact an apology is due also we have threats that the new york fed bank may withhold cash reserves that are held on behalf of iraq and if i'm not mistaken in the in the tune of $3000000000.00 i mean is this how you treat an ally i mean don't you go shade in top with a now i not threaten that's how you resolve issues or maybe that is is something no one void in this administration when it comes to foreign policy go ahead alex well this is absolutely shocking behavior because those troops those american troops in iraq are supposed to be there at the invitation of iraq if iran conflicts with them to go they should go in fact it seems that the united states not only wants them to stay it is prepared to put coercive pressure and you talked about this attempt to stall iraq axis bank. in order to force them to stay that is not the action of an outlaw and that is th

west of iraq. iran iran these are should also warning united states to to crease the situation and also they also put another goals and other targets in the region they also we are ready to give in the wave of the of the attack probably back to you tell us more about about one of the confirmed targets now the ol assad air base what do we know about that base and tell us about its significance for the u.s. military. that's right of course there are 2 bases but one of course is the. base and that's in western iraq we must also mention that there are over $5000.00 u.s. troops based in iraq it's a very large complex it's split into 2 though it's split into an area where american troops are based and then there are iraqi troops and another part of the base we're waiting for confirmation that in fact the attack earlier today was actually to the iraqi side we also don't know whether there are casualties yet that is still unconfirmed and it's a place that's very well known to americans why because vice pre

al-jazeera to iraq. has praised some other news not far fighters and a strangely i say it's very likely more homes will be destroyed by bush far as but their focus no is on saving lives where the conditions for saturday are being described as catastrophic felicity davey reports from sydney. australia and prime minister scott morrison seen for himself the latest areas devastated by bushfires in new south wales the day after he was confronted by angry residents in the town of go this woman refusing to shake his hand so many people have lost their fire here the prime minister said he wanted to offer comfort to those affected by fires on using and he's not surprised at their reaction people are angry it is something that i was there before as we've it is something that i understand it's not something for me to talk personally it's peak holiday season but with the state of emergency declared in the states of new south wales and victoria tens of thousands of people have been leaving tourist areas traffic is be

/iraq relations. also, while iran's allies in the region have threatened to avenge soleimani's killing, will the process of economic and governance crises in lebanon and in iraq prevent such steps? third, internationally, how willing are the european countries to break away from the u.s. and chart their own iran policy and nuclear deal? what is the current and future strategy by the united states and the trump administration towards iran? especially given that it is an election year here. amidst all of these domestic, regional and international crises are iran and the united states ready for war, negotiations, or neither? or are we to expect a continuation of controlled escalation and probably the use of unconventional warfare methods? to answer these questions, and help us analyze these developments and options, we are pleased and fortunate to have with us a great panel of experts to discuss the implications of the recent tensions and the killing of soleimani both regionally and beyond. thank you all

last how will you do this in iraq iraq is a country iraq is a state please listen to this. he said there is no a state in iraq there is no a state in iraq there's nothing called iraq go to his village is go to his all jews how will you control the oil fields he said we will send forces we will seize big parts security belts will be built and we will get the oil we will send the all you will to the world so iran from 3 years ago on says now is to draw me in a the oil fields in iraq and to get the oil you in wealth in iraq he doesn't want a country he doesn't want to step in iraq so as not to prevent him or there is a country she the country must be submitted to the americans to the american army to the american ambassador politically and security and the economic elite. the one before brought down trump him says said that obama and had a reckless and an have created that ice of. americans want to continue the war to continue for years and years in all of that to have a pretext to stay in iraq they said a world war against need 1020 or 30 years and the big billboard of war ag

the region that is so complex and in twine doesn't know in fact i'm glad you brought up the issue of iraq because i think that's what's being neglected in this entire conversation of what's happening between the united states and iran but iran for iraq for years and years has chafed under the influence of iran and some would say it's chafed under the influence of the united states as well both the political elite inside of iraq and the religious elite inside of iraq have always said let us maintain our own sovereignty in so many words if you all have. a fight don't do it here and iraq we are a relatively young democracy we need to develop we need to. increase our economy our infrastructure we need to rid corruption out of our government which is all the things that the protesters are protesting for but if iraq is truly going to be what the americans have wanted to be since 2003 a strong stable and independent country then we can't turn this into a battleground between the united states and iran and that's why the greatest fear . as we say in sports or take this off the field and work it o

was not leaving iraq that if it did leave iraq it was going to require a iraq to pay billions of dollars for its major airbase at balad and that the u.s. would levy heavy sanctions against iraq heavier sanctions against iraq than it is currently living against iran so it would be an embarrassment for president trump to have said that and then have one day later u.s. troops withdrawing from the region that seems to be part of the calculus here when the pentagon is now talking to reporters off camera so we can't show that to you but saying with the defense secretary mark esper saying this letter was not supposed to go out it is not the official policy of the u.s. government it would be an embarrassment for the u.s. to have to be chased out president trump has said that he wants to take u.s. troops out of the region and that number has dwindled from some 130000 back in 2003 to 5000 now but this is certainly not the way president drum wants the united states to leave iraq. all right thank you very much with the latest on this story from washington john hendren meanwhile inside iran huge crow

was forced out of iraq he that he would level sanctions against iraq so there is that back and forth a little bit that confusion but then it was on monday that this letter came out it was a letter that was it was written apparently or had the name of the general for the u.s. by the from the u.s. military base in iraq it was onst department of defense letterhead and the 1st sentence says this and listen closely because it seems pretty clear the 1st sentence says in due deference to the sovereignty of the republic of iraq and at the requested and at the requested by the iraqi parliament and the prime minister combined a joint task force will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement and then there's a couple other sentences and then at the end it says we respect your sovereignty and decision to order our departure that letter was written apparently to this american generals counterpart and their iraqi military there in baghdad and so that set off this firestorm assuming that the u.s. was pulling their troops out of iraq that cau

some politicians in iraq and he's mixing chem business with iraq he's a soul but the majority of the people that i talk with them they think that mr salaam money was the main figure in the the 1st person giving them. back up fighting is them into states in mosul a they believe that he is still one of nurture and i think tomorrow at 11 o'clock in back there is a huge gathering of calling for a gathering force of mr scott's a lot of money. on this and i think we will going to see some footage coming from baghdad to morrow with the thousands of people who told you thanks for joining us we thank you for which. well the u.s. killing has drawn a variety of responses from the international community predictably russia is critical of the foreign minister saying that this is a step by washington could have grave consequences for regional peace and stability in our view such actions do not contribute to the finding of solutions to the complicated problems that have accumulated in the middle east here's a tweet from germany's foreign minister heiko mass the us military operation follows a serie

have now 12 he really and advisors in iraq and they're already left iraq we have the french and those radians and maybe some other minor forces from other countries they will all be asked to leave of course not only for the americans very briefly so final thought it's a very bold move as we head into the new year new decade do you have high hopes for your country over the coming years if this does happen is it really going to benefit iraq if the americans pull out or is it something you might live to regret you think. this is very important for there are a thought for the american support we don't want to be drawn into a war between iran and america on iraqi soil if the americans pull out the iranians cannot use iraq as a battlefield between them and the americans we need the americans to leave so iran will leave us alone iran will not leave iraq alone unless until there are american soldiers on the rocky soil the iranians are generally afraid and they feel that they are threatened by the presence of military american military hardware and equipment and personnel in iraq therefore it'

i want to just follow up on iraq the implications for iraq and what we're seeing in iraq today because we've seen months of process of people saying they don't want iranian influence in the country and indeed there were reports of people celebrating today in baghdad the killing of so the money what is the future there for iraq given the political instability and clearly in the eyes of some on the ground there an anti iranian feeling well we also saw a huge numbers of people who joined the funeral ceremony for the rockies who were murdered by the americans just a couple of days ago. the overwhelming majority of iraqis support their soldiers and their war heroes and of course there are going to be those who are very hostile towards iran there are there are large numbers of iraqis who are part of the saddam hussein regime they are still in iraq there are many iraqis who supported isis which is backed by western governments and regional regimes we know this the documents have come out look at the weekend leaks. e-mails of hillary clinton look at the u.s. the defense u.s. defense intelligen

watch iraq. whether there's pressure on the government or to try to chase the united states out of iraq. or try to target u.s. personnel. diplomats or troops or aid workers inside of iraq. it's a dangerous moment. we have a president in office who may have created the largest international crisis of the presidency. and i'm not confident he's prepared to deal with it. >> when you think about you put yourself in iran's shoes and the reaction they're going to be facing. civil society within the government and security forces, obvious lif the revolutionary guard is unlike anything we have in the west. not only in terms of reach beyond the borders but also the economic power. they criminal whole industries. in iran they have income. and divert resources to themselves and proxies if in ways other security services don't have the power to do. it's a unique thing. having him taken out in this way, if you're the iranian government if you are the iranian security services and you'ring about thousand to res

iraq and lebanon fear the.

troops out of iraq deadly rise o the of isis in iraq and syria and formation of the caliphate. 2002 iraq aumf was not only used against saddam hussein, it al qaeda and, quote, other international organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of the united states citizens. so those on the other side say it's only -- it only applies to addam hussein, that's absolutely incorrect. it applies to international terrorist organizations like al qaeda. members will recall that al aeda in iraq later became ice isz, a -- isis, a brutal transnational terrorist organization that continues to american lives and interests and our homeland. that reason, president aumf, as the 2002 legal authority for his military against isis in iraq. urrent administration opposes repealing the 2002 aumf because, an important ins source of additional authority for military operations against in iraq and to defend the national security of the united emanatinginst threats from iraq. s my colleagues know, these vital counterisis operations continue. that authorization without a replacement endang

he was crucially involved in the iraq war that the u.s. was fighting in iraq. iran was involved in that exporting the technology that led to the deaths of hundreds of american servicemen, explosively formed projectiles. that was iranian technology. he's been involved in lebanon, in syria. he's executing iranian regional military strategy. was able to do a lot of things on his own, on his own recognizance. the thing is he had blood on his hands. he had a lot of blood on his hands, but to echo partly what nick was saying there, the thing is why do this at this moment? i would love to know the strategy of this. he certainly had blood on his hands. saddam hussein had blood on his hands, and taking him out led to a lot of unintended consequences and that's what i think a lot of people are concerned about. what the unintended consequence of this could be. >> michael, thank you. we want to go now to our nick robertson in lunlden for us. we just heard from the prime minister in iraq saying the air strike on baghdad's airport is an act of aggression on iraq and breach o

presence out of iraq the u.s. also as we know has a massive presence in iraq talk to us about these 2 bases how significant they were for the u.s. well as has been noted you know these the u.s. has a lot of presence in the region it has the 5th fleet which is a major major deployment. in the strait of hormuz it has a lot of presence in saudi arabia the u.s. right now has about $5000.00 troops in iraq and the purpose of those troops after the withdrawal of iraqi troops under the obama administration is primarily to lead operations the anti isis coalition. presence in erbil you know that is kind of a u.s. for a long time a u.s. stronghold because it's right at the heart of kurdish territory in iraq and those have been traditionally the greatest allies of the americans in iraq in particular the other bases in the middle of the sunni triangle so that's kind of an area that if we were talking 15 years ago was a real source of anxiety because that's really where a lot of the insurgency after saddam hussein was kind of r

bases in iraq. i mean people are very worried larry can't they're afraid that another war will come to iraq and you know iraq is coming out years of conflict and so i think that people are dismayed at the idea that you know yet again their country could become the battlefield for a war between if they don't they don't have anything to do with they don't want it on or the u.s. kind of playing out their battles in their country. gives a journalist in the iraqi capital baghdad thank you very much for your assessment from there. we go to should she standing by in brussels for us today what's the response been from elitist to this is on it a missile attack. it's interesting because the european union response is largely unchanged due to the overnight attacks they are still saying they're very worried and they're calling on all sides to refrain from for live further violence and to deescalate the situation now this is something as we know will not sit well in washington european commission president ursul

a revenge within iraq on the iraqi territory especially against the american troops in iraq that's why it is expected that would happen and not just what we know it's also the hezbollah in lebanon also for i think the american for reserves in the area iran has another abilities to attacking the oil fields in saudi are we we we have that seen the aerial had that scenario before i think every option is quite often like to see what does what does the qatari foreign minister know he's in charge of iranian about possible reaction to keep the action just in the small area not to open it in the wide range of the region i think the next to the next hours and days will be very important absolutely lots of moving parts in this and potential consequences iraqi journalist. thanks as ever thank you and the 2nd of now some of the other stories making news around the world indonesian authorities have been delivering supplies by helicopter to waterlogged regions following floods that left at least 53 people date in the region around the capital jakarta torrential rains that started on new year's eve u

so it is internally a very tense situation in iraq iraq find itself in the throes of this security situation where at least 2 bases belonging to u.s. led coalition have come under attack by iran and we await an official response from the iraqi government osama thank you very much you're watching all jazeera and continuing coverage of the developing story coming to us out of iraq iran says it's launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles of u.s. facilities in iraq at least 2 bases have been targeted one in erbil and the other one of the areas in the province of anbar iran's revolutionary guard has assumed a warning to israel and other u.s. allies in the region saying they'll be attacked if their countries are used to strikes against tehran. it is standing by for us at the white house as big as the latest reaction out of iran 1st let's go. to osama bin. in the iraqi capital just before we start our conversation of some of we have got these live pictures coming to us from kemah on the actual funeral for. so the money taking place following on from the 3 days of official mourning compelling pi

forces from iraq and i wonder simona i was going to ask you who and how will it be decided what iraq's response is but to your point with the current iranian influence of some politicians in parliament while might that decision process look like. well any decision made by the authorities would have to be initiated by the government and prime minister i love the math he has not been very clear on the direction that he wants parliament to take he basically just called them them to convene and he called on them to legislate laws of what exactly these laws should do whether day should actually request that the foreign troops that is unclear we've had several efforts over the past months and years in fact to see such a process initiated but it never really took place because india and the government was never willing to put forward such a bill even though parliament was asking for it and of course since the recent most recent escalation 1st with the u.s. strikes against hezbollah brigade positions and then the attack on the u.s. embassy here in baghdad we've seen that greater calls for the

iraq. whether their response to u.s. presence in iraq will be political or military the assassinations have put an end to a precarious balance of power that had us far accommodated both u.s. and iranian interests in iraq the iraqi capital already a battleground for tensions between the u.s. and iran is bracing itself for the aftermath of the biggest escalation yet with both u.s. and iranian backed troops on the ground the country risks being caught in the middle of a military fallout between washington and tehran simona 14 al-jazeera but that well meanwhile iran's national security council has vowed to retaliate in the quote right place and time after holding an extraordinary meeting on friday dorsetshire in tehran has more now on the mind his life and the reaction to his this. shock and disbelief at the events that have led to this as a nation of the head of the bulls force hossam so the money have now turned into anger and frustration and their vows of revenge the supreme leader has been

anand iraq. on the other layer, a confrontation between pro-arabian elements within the militias, mobilization units, and more iraqi moderate elementsts. they called for caution, called for preserving iraq from internal conflict. everyone is trying to create this middle path for a rack which will be very difficult. i have been talking to activists in the square and journalists. they are fearing they will be the first target on these pro-iranian . -- militias. they will be able to attack iraqi pro-democracy people in the streets. amy: "the new york times" is reporting general suleimani had flown into baghdad from syria in order to urge iranian back militias in a wreck to do more to stop the wave of anti--iran protests that have swept iraq in recent months. you talked about this yesterday, these protests. if you could respond to that? know suleleimani -- pro-iranian elements have been very vocalal and lislele in confronting these demonstrations. we know about kidnanappings, disappearances, stepper

troops home from iraq? places she serves. that's next. ♪ - do you have a box of video tapes, film reels, or photos, that are degrading? legacybox professionally converts them to dvds, thumb drive, or the cloud. legacybox is simple and safe, with over half a million satisfied customers. visit legacybox.com today, and get 40% off. ♪ >> tucker: last night as america really did for a moment seem on the brink of war with iran, some users on twitter voiced their displeasure by tweeting a hashtag #ivotedforhillary. a nice little rhetorical win until hillary clinton herself had to join in. the message of course it is president hillary would not be starting would not be starting a war with iran. is that true? or would hillary clinton believe the single most likely person in the history of america so start a war with iran? she bragged about overthrowing muammar qaddafi in libya. how does that work? they're now selling in downtown tripoli. watch. >> that is a land of unconfirmed -- >> we came, we saw, he died. >> did it have anythin

military targets in iraq the u.s. defense department says it's still assessing the damage the missiles reportedly hits 2 bases the base in western iraq and another near the city of erbil in the north iran's revolutionary guard says the attack was in retaliation for the us assassination of general qassam solely money. it's all about the. iranian state television claiming at least 15 missed silos fired by iranian forces have hit the. base in iraq killing 80 u.s. soldiers. the numbers cannot yet be verified and so far there have been no reports of casualties from the united states or other coalition forces. this promised act of revenge was for the killing of top military commander general salim mani the move has been widely welcomed across iran. crowds chanting death to america as iran's supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei tells them their message has been delivered. in court or you're. forced to live at last night. but what is important is that the seditious presence of america. in the region should be and it fits. th

the middle east out of iraq specifically areas where they can threaten new iraq iran the united states why contrast what we see there is a dysfunctional government which doesn't have any kind of clear long 6 long established plan so you have different people pushing for different objectives you have people look wanting to escalate as you put it which means essentially having a war you see the u.s. government forced into frantic diplomacy through the swiss embassy in tehran which it now turns out it was the united states which initiated it was lee u.s. and having started the escalation became panicked and saw the way out to deescalate in other words they don't have clear objectives and they're not working towards those objectives instead you get the impression of a very powerful country stretching around throwing bombs in some directions killing people in other directions threatening people with sanctions but it isn't coherent and you know. you wouldn't get that impression from mainstream media go ahead glenn go ahead and i was just going to say this the theme of. escalation dominance h

iraq war when iraq invaded iran the revolutionary guard really came together then as a force and cousins all the money came together as a figure at that time he was someone who personally be friended many many kurdish figures who ended up rising themselves and in for him from what i understand he was one of the decisive people who worked with kurds to save them from the chemical attacks that saddam hussein's government was was raining down on iraq he kurdish citizens during that $18988.00 iran iraq for his ties were deep with the population throughout kurdish areas and shia areas inside iraq but he's not the only one he just personifies those types of ties i've met many iranians throughout my time in the u.s. government i negotiated with the iranians about afghanistan right after 911 many of them who served in the iran iraq war have those types of deep ties even though cousins all the money is a serious and significant loss to iran he is not the only $1.00 who has those ties he is not the only one that has the strategy and the tactics that have shown the islamic republic of iran to be an

hondas in iraq. this is the time for diplomacy this is the time for rational thinking this is not the time for tit for tat for response because it will start moving up the ass from the tory ladder but that's not the language we're hearing right now from other side is that we're not hearing the language of diplomacy. well we should as somebody who used to be a soldier is somebody who is who has led soldiers i don't think this is the time for the differences between our 2 countries to be. resolved through our soldiers at this point it's just it's it's on necessary. a war to get your assessment on what got us to this point if you like the point where is people assigning a affectively a declaration of war has been made for the united states against iran you served under president george w. bush a previous guest said others have made the point as well that you can slice home some months of what we've seen today because of that intervention inside iraq and that america is still bogged down in fighting the

metal and the economic and facilities in iraq are quite keen for the sake of iraq and are quite keen to have relations of friendship with the countries that have helped us to fight that with the neighboring countries and we are also quite good to prevent anyone to interfere in our internal affairs and our sovereignty in our higher. interest the change of security administrative and the economic political behavior is quiet important because we need to have. read real state to get rid of depending only on oil we need to have at it you methods in order to fight the employment and to create jobs and to create other tools in order to help ourselves and help our country our way from the oil revenues only to find the lazy have some recommendations as prime minister and as the general commander of the phone says is to go to the fairest of action the spite some inside and outside troubles but this option is the best for iraq and is the best holder to have the right sound proper relations with the righteousness of america that is based on friendship and based on respect and sovereignty and bas

/iraq relationship. iraq suddenly went from, you know, demonstrating against iranian presence and others to demonstrating against the united stat states. did the united states expect its embassy in iraq to be breached by pro-iranian militias in baghdad? did the united states expect that when it retaliated for the killing of that american contractor? and now the government of iraq is under massive pressure and we'll see whether the militia in iraq, or what is the pressure from the streets and what will iran do. the idea of iran wanting now to do that famous photo op that president trump wanted in september at the u.n., it's over. they're talking about revenge now. and so we just simply don't know what's going to happen and, remember, the french are saying it's more dangerous because emmanuel macron was the mediator between president trump and hassan rouhani, trying to get that relationship back on track. but the u.s. have gone from maximum economic pressure to now military action. >> christiane amanpour,

-iraq relations. allies in thean's region have vowed to revenge the killing, will the crisis in lebanon and iraq prevent such steps. third, will other countries break away from the u.s. and chart their own deals? what's the strategy of the trump administration toward iran especially given that it's an election year here. amidst these domestic, regional and international crises, are iran and the united states ready for war, negotiations, or neither or are we co-expect controlled keaslation and the use of unconventional warfare methods? to answer these questions and help analyze these developments an options we are pleased and fortunate to have with us a great panel of experts to discuss the implications of the killing nsions and the in the region and beyond. thank you for joining us and being with us to contribute to this discussion. ahmad who has agreed to chair the discussion and contribute to the discussion. before giving the platform to the panelists i would like to remind you to silence your phone