Speaking in Tajikistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Iran not to interfere in Iraq, now that the United States is withdrawing. “To countries in the region, especially Iraq’s neighbors, we want to emphasize that America will stand with our allies and friends, including Iraq, in defense of our common security and interests,” she said, adding, “We will have a robust continuing presence throughout the region, which is proof of our ongoing commitment to Iraq and to the future of that region, which holds such promise and should be free from outside interference to continue on a pathway to democracy.”

Will the Iranians take Clinton’s warning seriously? Why wouldn’t they? After all, less than two weeks after the Obama administration accused Tehran of plotting a terrorist attack in Washington, DC, leading an angry Obama to promise “accountability,” the president turns around and hands Iraq to Iran on a silver platter. Not even at his worst did Jimmy Carter commit such strategic malpractice. What must Ayatollah Khamenei be thinking? Defy Obama to get Afghanistan too?