US and Iran Face Common Enemies in Mideast Strife

The United States and Iran, despite disagreement over the latter’s nuclear program, have found common ground on a destabilized Middle East and seek end growing insurgencies in five nations including Iraq. The rhetoric reflects new pragmatism on the Middle East and recognition that participation by both Iran and the United States is essential for regional stability. “Iran offered to join the United States in sending military aid to the Shiite government in Baghdad, which is embroiled in street-to-street fighting with radical Sunni militants in Anbar Province, a Sunni stronghold,” reports Thomas Erdbrink for the New York Times. The United States withdrew troops from Iraq in 2011 after eight years of war, and US troops won’t return, announced Secretary of State John Kerry who added he could envision an Iranian role a peace conference on Syria. Erdbrink concludes that improving US-Iranian relations presents danger to both presidents, “who will remain vulnerable to criticism from conservatives in both countries,” as well as regional powers like Saudi Arabia. – YaleGlobal