Iraqi instability washes over neighbors

[tocqueville]

By Ehsan Ahrari

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death, though it is a major development related to Iraq, is hardly a reason for a prolonged celebration. That is the message that is emerging from a number of informed sources in Washington and in Iraq's immediate neighborhood.

Jordanian intelligence is claiming that it played a crucial role in bringing an end to Zarqawi's short life (he was Jordanian and wanted in that country for acts of terror) and highly turbulent career.

But the same sources are proffering highly sobering analysis of the depth of anger that currently prevails in Jordan, Iraq and the occupied territories toward the United States and toward Arab regimes that are seen as friends of Washington, and, by extension, toward Jerusalem. That anger needs to be watched in the coming months.

An important driving force in and around Iraq is the US-Jordan-Israel nexus that is trying to stabilize the region in light of those countries' respective interests. The US wants to stabilize and democratize Iraq; Israel wants to pacify the Palestinian population and "resolve" the Palestinian-Israeli conflict unilaterally, and hopes that by doing so, the problem will go away. Jordan would very much like to see this conflict resolved, but feels powerless about its resolution.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HF13Ak03.html