Obama administration is in talks with the Maliki government in Iraq to continue a significant U.S. military presence in Iraq

Even though many Americans are becoming weary of the global involvement of the U.S. in Iraq and elsewhere, the Obama administration is in talks with the Maliki government in Iraq to continue a significant U.S. military presence in Iraq after the deadline at the end of this year for withdrawal.

While the security situation may be part of the reason another reason given for staying is the continuing influence of Iran in the country. However keeping troops in Iraq seems to me a sure way of actually increasing the power of those supportive of Iran. Even if this does not happen the move is sure to increase not decrease violence as attacks will increae against the U.S. troops.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen confirmed today that the Obama Administration is already in talks with Iraq's Maliki government on the continuation of the American military presence in the nation beyond December. The U.S. administration has been putting pressure on the Maliki government for months trying to force the government to ask the U.S. to keep troops in the country. The U.S. then often makes silly official statements to the effect that if the U.S. were asked to keep troops they would consider the request. This is nonsense since in effect the U,S, has been doing everything possible to ensure that the request is made. THe U.S. wants to keep troops in Iraq as Mullen's statements show clearly.

According to Mullen, the talks are now centering entirely on Iran, reflecting the administration's current efforts to blame escalating violence on Iranian influence over Shi'ite militias. Officials have claimed certain weapons the militias are using contain "Iranian materials," which Mullen described as "proof" of the Iranian government's involvement. However, some of the violence has been by Sunni groups and Al Qaeda rathe than Shiites.

Mullen insists that the Iraqi government must help the US to "control" Iran's influence in the country. Iran's government has close relations with the Maliki government, and the US seems keen on splitting the two up. I really find it hard to fathom this policy. The U.S. has been occupying Iraq for years. The Shiites who are often favorable to Iran are a majority and are now in control in the government. They probably are much more interested in controlling the influence of the U.S. rather than Iran in their country. '

If the U.S. stays then groups such as the Al Sadr bloc will in effect declare war on the U.S. troops and no doubt cause the Maliki government to fall. Is this what the U.S. wants? Does the U.S. recognise this and intend to use the increased violence as another reason to stay? Neither the Iraqi public nor the U.S. taxpayer may be willing to put up with that.