Former national security advisor Brent Scowcroft supports Iran deal
Scowcroft is one of the more savvy people in the security field. He and a group of his peers have signed a letter expressing their support.
Iranian Kurds clash with IRGC troops
There’s been a low-level insurgency in northwestern Iran as the Kurds there resist Tehran’s authority. This engagement is one of the sharper ones in recent months. The Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJA K) is thought to be backed by Israel. This attack might be part of an Israeli effort to irk Iranian hardliners and get them to oppose the nuclear deal or to respond harshly which could bring greater opposition to the deal in the US.
Outgoing top general makes important remarks on Iraq
Outgoing general Ray Odierno indirectly took on Jeb Bush by saying that Iraq ordered US troops out before Obama became president – a point recently made here.
He also said US troops may be needed in the ISIL War. There could be two reasons for this: to provide tactical advise to Iraqi troops and to direct airstrikes.
Odierno also said that the ISIL War may be best fought with Iraq divided into three countries: Kurdistan in the north, a Shia region in the south and east, and a Sunni region in the west. I’ve argued for quite some time that a partitioned Iraq made more sense for post-Saddam stability.
Oil prices slumping once again
This poses difficulties for countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia. Many others too. The Russian economy is already weakened by sanctions. Putin is still popular. His assertiveness on the world stage which Russians see as their nation’s retaking its rightful place after years of weakness. Saudi Arabia is running deficits. It needs oil above $100/bbl to run a surplus. The European benchmark price is $48.88/bbl today.