Airstrikes, likely conducted by the United States as part of the US-Israeli operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies, have continued hitting Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Many of these targeted groups are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an official Iraqi security institution that officially reports to the country’s prime minister.
The US strategy appears to hav...
The article presents a meticulously crafted escalation narrative, framed by a protracted power struggle between the US and Iran within Iraq. The “facts” – the targeting of militia leaders, the casualties reported, the ceasefire conditions – are meticulously assembled to portray the US as actively defending its interests through decisive, albeit controversial, military action. This operates as a classic Motte-and-Bailey strategy, amplifying the perceived threat of Iranian influence while simultan...