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Length: 3:23
JOHN KING: And the assassination in Lebanon raises
the question, are we seeing a generalized meltdown
across the Middle East? And what would it mean for
U.S. policy in Iraq and across the region?
Correspondent Michael Ware joins us from Baghdad.
Michael, the big news in the region today, obviously,
this political assassination in Lebanon. Help us put
it into regional context. What is the impact in a
place like Iraq? Is this something that emboldens the
insurgents, who are trying to not only destabilize
Iraq, but, some would say, destabilize the entire
region?
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, directly,
immediately? No.
But, indirectly, this assassination fits within a
much broader picture within the region, that the
insurgents, both Sunni and Shia, and all the regional
actors, from Syria to Iran, and American Arab allies
in the region, are well aware of.
I mean, this, right now, is a region of American
malaise, during a period of U.S. strategic
uncertainty. I mean, this is a time, a strategic
opportunity, for all of America's rivals in this
region.
And I think we're seeing certain elements within this
part of the world trying to capitalize upon that.
We're certainly seeing evidence of that here on the
ground, certainly patterns of behavior from certain
militia groups and insurgent groups, that have taken
particularly directed and targeted operations that
seem to be making the most of this opportunity.
KING: You mention certain militia groups.
As you're aware, our Barbara Starr is reporting today
that there are some concerns in the U.S. Central
Command about perhaps a splinter group within one of
Muqtada al-Sadr's militias, a splinter group backed
by Iran.
Based on what you see on the ground there every day,
does that fit with what you're seeing? Is that
conceivable, that a group within al-Sadr's militias
could split off and be beholden to Iran, not to
Muqtada al-Sadr?
WARE: Well, John, let me put it this way.
If Central Command is concerned that this might be
happening, that's frightening, because it shows they
have absolutely no reality of what's been happening
here on the ground for the past year. And, in fact, I
know that's not the case.
I have spoken to U.S. military intelligence here on
the ground at very senior levels. They, like all of
us, have been tracking the fracturing of Muqtada's
Mahdi Army militia, one of the most potent and
politically powerful right now here in the country.
Now, U.S. military intelligence says that, for some
time, you know, Mahdi militia has been receiving
millions of dollars of aid from Iran, including
training, the facilitation of relationships with
Hezbollah, the transfer of technology, the adoption
of an Iranian-inspired template.
Now, there's been breakaway groups going on from that
main body for well over a year. And, in fact, U.S.
intelligence says there's now Classic Mahdi Army,
there's Militant Mahdi Army, much like the IRA and
the more militant Real IRA from Northern Ireland, and
then there's rogue factions.
Indeed, what we're seeing is that all of them are
sponsored or supported or have a relationship in some
way with Iran. And now we're seeing Iran poaching
Mahdi Army commanders.
So, it's much more than a concern. It's a reality
we've lived with here on the ground for over a year
-- John.
KING: Michael Ware for us in Baghdad -- Michael,
thank you very much.
WARE: Thank you.