UNLIKE US, Iran Is In It To Win It In Iraq.

Both America and Iran are involved in the effort to drive ISIS back and support the government in Baghdad. As such, there is a tacit alliance—but it is not one of equals. As the old saying goes, it’s like a ham and egg sandwich: the chicken is involved, but the pig is really committed. Today, unlike 10 years ago, Iran is the pig.

This is proving increasingly problematic as, as The Washington Post reports, American officials are beginning to contemplate the scale of the Iranian backed militias in Iraq, which may now equal the regular army (which also leans Shi’a) in total size. If and when ISIS is subdued, this will present another large headache for Washington. Though all other issues with Iran have currently been put on the back burner to make way for the nuclear negotiations, look for this one to fester.

That’s okay, we’ve got Smart Diplomacy on the job.