Iraq: A Critical Juncture for Security

STRATFOR learned June 25 that ailing top Iraqi Shiite leader Abdel Aziz al-Hakim's health has worsened. Al-Hakim was a key player in both Iranian and U.S. plans for the future of Iraq, and his death will complicate matters for Iran. Meanwhile, U.S. forces are preparing to withdraw from urban areas in Iraq on June 30. The main question is whether Iraqi security forces are ready to take on more security responsibilities at a time when a lot could go wrong in their country.