Does the U.S. need to talk with Syria and Iran about Iraq?

Does the U.S. need to engage in discussions with Syria and Iran about the security situation in Iraq? No. It is Iraq that must engage Syria and Iran and it is important that the U.S. stay out of those discussions.

Separately, the U.S. can and should engage in direct discussions with Syria and Iran concerning security issues in the whole Middle East, including Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Iraq as well, but not on behalf of Iraq and the interests of the Iraqis.

If anything, the Iraqis can help to smooth relations between the U.S. and Syria and Iran rather than the other way around.

The greatest danger in Iraq is not chaos, sectarian violence, and civil war, but that Iraq might be seen as a mere puppet and surrogate for U.S. interests.

-- Jack Krupansky