I haven’t read or heard about any such link in Western media, nor from any officials. But even if I had, I would probably discount it, as neither has demonstrated any reliable understanding of regional culture. And I’m not sure what any Saddam/AQ link has to do with the proposed Iran/AQ link, as Saddam and Iran didn’t get along so well, either.
Anyway, I could understand naive reasoning for an Iran/AQ alliance to remove the US from the region, but that kind of alliance is easily exploited as their ultimate goals are in direct conflict. What happens when we leave? Both AQ and Iran want dominance in the region. They would both go into such an alliance thinking they were using the other for their own gain. Any concession by either party to seal the alliance would never be fulfilled, as they would know such a concession would weaken their own hand.
No, I still believe any such remarks by Sadr are pure media stunts with absolutely no validity.
