Iran Is the Chief Beneficiary of the Iraq War

The Iraq war has made Iran the next regional superpower, according to a new report by Chatham House, a British think tank that analyzes international issues. The report contains four "key messages":

• The 'war on terror' removed the Taliban and Saddam Hussein, Iran's two greatest regional rivals, and strengthened Iran's regional leverage in doing so;
• Israel's failure to defeat Hizbullah has reinforced Iran's position as the region's focal point against US-led policy;
• If seriously threatened, Iran has the potential to inflame the region yet further;
• A US-sponsored military strike would be devastating for Iran, the Persian Gulf region and beyond[.]
  

Congratulations, Dubya.