So you think the increased USA presence in Baghdad is to decrease violence? Not according to the DIA

DIA warns of Iran-backed coup in Iraq

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has increased U.S. troop levels in Baghdad to help protect the new government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.

U.S. officials said the addition of at least 12,000 U.S. troops in Baghdad was meant to prevent a Shi'ite coup against Al Maliki. The U.S. military and intelligence community have detected evidence of Shi'ite plots within the government to overthrow Al Maliki and establish an Iranian-aligned regime.

Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki
"There is an assessment that Al Maliki could be killed or deposed by fellow Shi'ites under orders from Iran," an official said. "Our fight in Baghdad is against an Iranian plot."

The Bush administration has cited deteriorating security in Baghdad for the increase in U.S. forces. Over the past six weeks, the Defense Department has halted the steady decline in the U.S. military presence and started Operation Together Forward with the Iraq army and police.

But in briefings to Congress, Pentagon officials have described the need to save Baghdad from an imminent coup. The officials said several Shi'ite ministers and senior officials sponsored by the Iranian-financed Mahdi Army were believed to be plotting against Al Maliki.

Excuse me, but in what way would the world be worse if the Iranian mullahs woke up dead tmw? Would Iraq be worse off? Philadelphia? Teheran?

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