With Iran Ascendant, US Is Seen at Fault

The US invasion of Iraq four years ago was supposed to spread democracy throughout the Middle East – not strengthen Iran. Arab allies to the US resent Iran’s growing influence in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran is one of the few Shiite-dominated nations in a world where almost 9 out of every 10 Muslims are Sunnis. Much of the violence in Iraq stems from bitter conflict between the two sects. Iran extends support to Shiite militias in neighboring nations, compounding US challenges in controlling Iraq. Tension increases with the presidents of Iran and the US exchanging verbal barbs, Arab leaders remain wary about any one nation gaining too much power in the Middle East and civil war spreading beyond Iraqi borders. – YaleGlobal