Post #13 Cultural Context

This political cartoon is drawn to indicate a possible exit plan for our troops in Iraq. However it seems that in the past year or so that Iran has become a threat to the world. This may have just provided the United States with a removal plan for the troops still in Iraq. However, this plan doesn't necessarily state that the troops will be coming back to America. More than likely they are looking at a tour of duty in Iran.

A timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq has been a major concern for all during the Presidential election over the past year. It has been a hot topic in the Senate and the House of Representatives as well. Senator McCain was highly criticized for his plan for a timeline bill he supported. This timeline proposal has split Americans in half. Some want a hasty retreat out of Iraq while others call this a statistical loss. Either way you look at it someday we will have to pull our troops out of Iraq.

At a time when peace seems to be coming to the land of Iraq and things are starting to calm down a new crisis is rising. The Iraqi War has cost the United States money and lives. Now not as many lives are being lost in Iraq and people are starting to call for a withdraw of troops. However while this recall has been tossed around a new power or threat has risen. This power lies within the country of Iran.

Most of the tension between Iran and the United States comes mostly from the fact that Iran mastered a crucial step to producing nuclear weapons. A new leader has also helped to fuel the tension between the two countries, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He won the election for ruler of Iran in 2005. Ahmadinejad says, "If it weren't for American interference in the Middle East then there wouldn't be any stress between the nations." However he also says, "Both countries are seeking dignity, respect,and perfection." He soon became the face of defiance of the nuclear programs of the United States. The most shocking statement that Ahmadinejad said was, "The holocaust was a myth." This further enraged the U.S. and the entire world.

This cartoon symbolizes that America wants to pull its troops out of Iraq, where we have done much to save their country from it's hostile leader, Saddam Husein. Once we started to consider a timetable for troop withdrawal a new enemy poked it's head out from right next to Iraq, Iran. There is a possibility for hostilities to escalate and force the U.S. to move its troops right out of Iraq and into Iran.

For more information on what Ahmadinejad thinks and says about life and politics view his personal blog.

I'd like to give credit to the writers, photographers, and editors of the New York Times and to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, himself for the information in this Blog Post.

T.I.