http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/iraq-siding-with-iran-sends-lifeline-to-assad/2011/10/06/gIQAFEAIWL_story.html

the summary?  Iraq is supporting Syria despite US policy being anti-assad to a great degree.   On the one hand while I see supporting Assad is the wrong move, it's an interesting thing to see as it seems like another blow to the whole "Iraq was invade to just be the US' pawn."

The whole Iraq is a US pawn is propaganda created to turn the citizens of Iraq and America against one another.

Fact is Iraq is definitely a US ally more so then Saddam's Government was. But in the end the US knew they wouldn't gain control of Iraq short of an occupation which was never the plan and isn't feasible. Its like the fact that Pakistan is an American ally, however the country is going to make its own decisions that make the most sense for their country and what they believe is best for global stability.

There are many reasons for Iraq's position on Syria. A major one is that hundreds of thousands of Iraqi's fled Iraq to move to Syria avoiding the war. During this period Syria allowed most of the refugees welcomed until 2007 when Syria finally tried to put an end to immigration. Fact is a ton of Iraqi's live in Syria.

Another factor is Syria is seen as a hard line Islamic country, so is Iran and both are viewed by many in the Islamic world as sticking up against the crusaders. Now we all know moderates disagree and see the danger in allying with Iran/Syria and its impact on Islamic populations globally. However in the last election more hardliner Iraqi's were elected to office. In fact around 20% of the Iraqi population is in favor of Islamic Sharia law and a Islamic fundamentalist Government. Many powerful men in Iraq share the view that a Islamic centralized government would be good and right now the existing Government needs support from extremists within the opposition.

Another big factor is geographic location. Syria and Iran make up the majority of the border of Iraq. Instability caused by a war in Syria and when I say war I mean full scale which Iraq obviously fears would send refugees and dissidents running for cover in Iraq. The border with Syria is already hard to defend but add an armed conflict and your looking at big trouble for Iraq. Not to mention the fact that Iraqi's would likely get involved indirectly in an armed conflict within Syria, through organizations like Al-Qaida and such Iraqi's would likely fight Syrian's raising diplomatic tensions like they have with Turkey and Iran.

Another geography thing is that Syria and Iran are allies. Any future conflict involving America would make Iraq a prime target. They would be caught right in the middle. Iran was also an enemy of Saddam and the new Iraq would like to mend things and prevent future conflicts which lead to so much devastation. Another factor is trade , yah the US is a great partner but Iraq needs to be able to rely on local trade partners in the long run especially considering the financial instability effecting the west.

In the end a huge conflict occurring on your border is rarely ever a good thing for your country. Its in Iraq's best interest to play both sides supporting the US when it suits them and Iran/Syria when it suits. Also for regional stability it makes sense for Iraq not to take any action against Syria or Iran. The whole region would explode if a war broke out in Syria in which Assad was actually toppled!

This Syria Assad thing is making me so sad. And now these other mothers supporting that terror regime.

You missed a very big one.

- A hard line sunni government in Syria is not good for Iraq as they could exploit the vulnerable sunni/shia relations in Iraq . Its not good for israel, lebanon or Iran as well..so all in all..they have a very good reason for supporting Assaad.

ImJustBayuum got it right. Iraq wishes to preserve the Alawite regime of Assad, rather than see the long-suppressed Sunni majority take control over there, while Iran supports them because Syria is the local backer of Hezbollah

Remember, people, Assad at least keeps the peace with Israel. What would a democratic government do?

looks like operation Iraqi freedom failed again, and here we have more evidence to prove it!