Can Iraqi security forces and Shia militias take control of Saddam Hussein’s home city? It’s the biggest counter offensive by Iraqi security forces against ISIL.

For the last two weeks, thousands of Iraqi troops, backed up by Shia militias and some Sunni tribal fighters, have been locked in battle with Islamic State militants in Tikrit. There are reports that Iranian military advisers are also taking part in the attack on ISIL. Even if ISIL is pushed out of Tikrit, it still has control of another major Iraqi city, Mosul. A big fight is looming there, too. And, despite the United States spending more than 20 billion dollars on the Iraqi Security Forces over the last few years, there are still serious questions about their ability to take back control of Iraq.
Also, what about Iran’s role in all of this? Why is it engaged? And, with the U.S. also involved in the offensive against ISIL in the region, is it now working with its old rival Iran? One possible way to describe the overall situation: it’s complicated.

The discussion began with Samir Sumaidaie. He is a former Iraqi Ambassador to the United States. And, he previously served as Iraq’s representative to the United Nations.

The discussion continued about the U.S. role. Is it being pulled back into another quagmire in Iraq? The Heat spoke to U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer. He is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy research.

The discussion then moved its focus to Iran’s role? From Tehran, the discussion was joined by Seyed Mohammad Marandi. He is an Iranian academic and political analyst. He is dean of the faculty of world studies at the University of Tehran.