As reported by James Glanz in the New York Times, companies from China and Iran have been awarded $1.1 billion in contracts for construction of power plants in Iraq. In addition, Iran has offered to supply power from it's own grid to southern Iraq, and to build a large power plant basically free of charge in an area between Karbala and Najaf.

It was also noted that Iraqi oil revenues, which provide the basis for Iraq's budget, are funding the reconstruction of Iraq's power grid.

And, of course, the US military is viewing Iran's involvement with suspicion.

The US taxpayers have poured almost $5 billion into rebuilding Iraq's electricity grid, and we have basically squat to show for it, with most folks lucky to have more than a few hours of electricity each day. We should not be surprised that competing countries are getting the nod, now. What the reconstruction projects have done is further lower the credibility of the US in the eyes of the Mideastern states.

I am not surprised to see Iran getting cozy with Iraq at this time, but I really am intrigued with China's move. They have been doing similar projects in African countries, and apparently see this as a prime time to situate themselves within the Iraqi confidences, for future trade and energy concerns, to be sure.

Now, if the US is proviiding security, and workers from Iran and/or China are injured in insurgent attacks, what will be the headlines in the papers the following day?

It just keeps getting more and more interesting.......



(edit: damn typos)

Next, we'll need Blackwater to stay in Iraq to help guard the Chinese and Iranian crews.

Hell, maybe they can help fix our damn embassy (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/20676.html).

Chinese + Iranians = Chirainians :)

It will be interesting to see Bejing's reaction if Chinese workers get hurt due to insurgents.
Will they politely ask Iran to reign in the malcontents?
Or will they do the Chinese bumrush, making the American "Invasion" look like a walk along the beach?

I wonder what would happen if China did invade Iran. That would be a something to watch.

Hey, maybe then we'd give Ahmadinejad the Congressional Medal of Honor, like the Dalai Lama!

/poke

That's Congressional Gold Medal for the Lama.

I didn't think Llamas could win a medal.....

;)

Watch out they spit!

And I thought this thread was going to be about Rush's letter he just auctioned for $2.2M.

It will be interesting to see Bejing's reaction if Chinese workers get hurt due to insurgents.
Will they politely ask Iran to reign in the malcontents?


Actually , I think Beijing would be more likely to use any incident for their propaganda machine, and would press the US for a solution. They might well have a clause in their agreement with Iraq that they would be able to provide their own security apparatus.

'It will be interesting to see Bejing's reaction if Chinese workers get hurt due to insurgents.'


- Oh yeah, like they care. They've got a billion more, literally.