US to Join Iran, Syria in Iraq Talks

The US will join a meeting of neighboring nations to Iraq, including Iran and Syria, to discuss ways to stem violence. The Iraq government initiated the meetings for March and also invited other world powers, including permanent members of the UN Security Council, to a second meeting in April. In announcing US participation, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pointed out that the Bush administration is responding to advice from the Iraq Study Group and congressional leaders who have urged a regional solution to problems in Iraq. In addition to arguing that Iraq’s neighbors are exacerbating the violence, US complaints about Iran include its nuclear program and rejection of Israel and the Middle East peace process; complaints about Syria include its interference in Lebanon and shelter of former Saddam loyalists. The Iraqi government hopes for genuine participation as well as diplomatic and economic support from world powers. The region and, indeed, the entire world stand to benefit from the end of civil strife in Iraq. – YaleGlobal