US Sanctions Iraq, Cites Iranian Influence (Again)
The New Arab confirms Iraq's government isn't thrilled about Washington's latest round of financial restrictions, specifically targeting banks accused of links to Iran. Baghdad states these measures are 'harmful' and pledged to combat 'illegal activities'. (Translation: The US government just unilaterally told Iraq how to run its internal financial affairs, AGAIN.) This comes just weeks after the
US Treasury sanctioned three Iraqi banks and an airline in July, a recurring pattern since the 2003 invasion supposedly brought 'freedom and democracy'. Perhaps Washington's 'concern' for Iraqi financial integrity might sound more sincere if its own invasion hadn't thoroughly decimated every financial institution, and then some. The US has maintained a military presence and economic leverage in
Iraq for over twenty years, dictating terms while the country struggles to rebuild. It appears 'harmful' is the new 'democracy,' at least when Uncle Sam’s strategic interests are involved. One has to ask, how many times can a nation be 'saved' before it's simply being controlled?