McMaster, whether talking about Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, or Qatar, is really talking about reducing Iran's power and influence in the region through their proxies.
While I don't know how it will translate into policy, there is a clear indication that we will back Syrian forces in the east without allowing Assad to reassert control over that territory.
Also, Iran has a role in dividing the Iraqi Kurds and pushing Iraq to take over post-2014 Kurdish territorial gains in the north, including Kirkuk.
Iran has been our enemy throughout the mullah era. It's about time we returned the favor rather than futilely try to turn Iran into a responsible regional power.
UPDATE: Iraq War 2.0 has rolled back the ISIL threat in Iraq after we mistakenly left Iraq in 2011.
But now we need to roll back the Iranian influence that has penetrated Iraq following our mistaken withdrawal in 2011.
And let me add that I think it is a major mistake to consider Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi as "our man" just as it was a mistake to think of Maliki that way.
Our goal should be free elections and rule of law in Iraq rather than wanting "our" strongman to run Iraq through the formality of elections to validate his continued rule.
UPDATE: The enemy in Lebanon:
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation Saturday, citing Iran's "grip" on the country and threats to his life.
Iran would like similar power in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, based on Iranian-sponsored militias operating as states within states.
America should want to stop Iran from these successes. Yet we wasted 8 years treating mullah-run enemy Iran as just friends we haven't made yet.
