The Neoconservative-Qaeda Connection

Yesterday I was too optimistic in my assessment that the United States would not stand by idly and let Iraq be fractured by a Saudi-backed Al Qaeda uprising; that the recent events in Anbar had sparked a push-back by Realists in the Obama administration, evidence of which could be found on the frontpage of the New York Times in the form of rare overt attacks on the credibility of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Today's frontpage offering, "Grim Sequel to Iraq’s War," by Peter Baker provides proof of Neoconservative support in Congress for Al Qaeda's ascension in Iraq. Senator Bob Menendez (Dem-NJ), an old-fashioned corrupt machine politician from Hudson County, has been blocking the sale of Apache helicopters to the al-Maliki government. And while today there is a story, "Senator Signals Support for Sending Helicopters to Iraq," that says that Menendez has been mollified and now supports shipping the Apaches, it reads more like a "rope-a-dope" to me:

Mr. Menendez received a three-page letter last week from Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq responding to his concerns and received an urgent call from the State Department on Tuesday promising a further response. Although committee officials said the answers so far do not go much further than Mr. Maliki or the administration have in the past, Mr. Menendez was convinced that they are serious about dealing with the concerns given the latest strife in Anbar Province. 

“The administration is now addressing concerns first raised in July that required responses before this sale could proceed,” said Adam Sharon, the senator’s spokesman. “Provided these issues are sufficiently addressed, Chairman Menendez will be ready to move forward.”

The Obama administration has proposed selling 20 to 30 of the helicopters to the Iraqi government, but, because it could take years for them to be built, it has also asked to lease up to 10 aircraft in the interim. Administration officials said the Apaches could be useful in targeting fighters affiliated with Al Qaeda like those who have taken over parts of Fallujah and Ramadi in recent days. But even if Mr. Menendez dropped his objections, it could take until April to deliver them, and officials noted that pilots would still need to be trained.

It is fashionable in Congress to blame al-Maliki for the Qaeda florescence in Anbar. It is a mantra similar to the "blame al-Assad" mantra. One can't help but notice that there is not a "blame el-Sisi" mantra after every bombing in the Sinai.

The al-Maliki blame game goes something like this: al-Maliki was not inclusive enough of Sunnis; this led to an estrangement of the population in Anbar, which gave Al Qaeda its current foothold. So, see, it's al-Maliki's fault.

But that's just a thin cover story. What is really going on is that Congress is pay-to-play territory occupied by Israel and the House of Saud. Senator Menendez, as rotten as they come, is a reliable mouthpiece and water carrier for Israel, and apparently Israel doesn't want Iraq to have Apache attack helicopters and drones with the ability to fire missiles.

The game then is Realists vs. Neocons. The Realists are winning in Syria. Syria's joining the Chemical Weapons Convention was an enormous blow to the Saudi/Israeli/Neocon axis. (ISIS has been expelled from Aleppo in internal fighting between jihadi groups; jihadi groups are attacking Syrian chemical weapons sites.) So the Neocons shifted to Anbar and have planted their black flag there.

It is all amazing. Straight out of the pages of comic books and right off the silver screen. The United States' great allies -- Saudi Arabia and Israel -- with fulsome support from politicians here at home -- are actively supporting our latest existential foe, Al Qaeda.

Keep your eyes focused on Anbar. That's where the Great Game is being played out.