By By Paul Iddon Jul 19, 2014 in Politics Israel is no stranger to realpolitik necessities when it comes to the often hostile Middle Eastern region. However its former ambassador to the US Michael Oren has formulated quite a peculiar argument regarding the 'Islamic State' ripping apart Iraq. The history of Iran-Israel cooperation is indeed an interesting story. Indeed in regard to Iraq it's common knowledge that the Israelis and the Iranians had mutual interests in containing the Saddam Hussein regime which Israel saw as a greater evil at that point in time. The Israeli Air Force destroyed the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981 for example after failed Iranian attempts to do so beforehand. In retrospect that incident serves as a classic case of Israel backing, in a limited but nonetheless existent degree, a lesser evil against a greater one as they then saw it. However Mr. Oren has put forth quite a controversial view in regard to the present crisis in Iraq. In a recent Oren then went on to elaborate by saying that the threat to Israel posed by Iran and its Hezbollah proxy is “of a different magnitude entirely.” He said the U.S. shouldn't “make a pact with Iran.” Not even a temporary one to deal with the ongoing crisis in Iraq. Oren was careful with his words and was careful not to sound unreasonable when outlining why he feels this way. However the view that a group like 'Islamic State' is a counterbalance to Iranian influence in the region and the Iranian regime at home is a dangerous one if put into practice. The attempted Talibanization of Iraq by a group like 'Islamic State' is a threat to everyone. Furthermore instability in Iran will not undermine the regime there but rather give it more control over its population as a threat to Iran's security in form of a violent and unstable Iraq next door coupled with possible infiltrations by Sunni terrorists in the Iranian Khuzestan province and elsewhere could serve to seriously undermine reformist tendencies in Iran. Undermine them in a way not unlike how Saddam Hussein's invasion of the oil-rich Iranian Khuzestan province in September 1980 served to unite the country under the then new regime as the people, quite rightfully, saw the country under threat of being dismembered by an outside power. Such a scenario would likely and predictably enhance the power of elements in Iran that are more hostile to Israel not undermine it. Aside from this salient reality regardless of what regime is in power there Iran will be Israel has similarly said The Iranian people have While the Tehran regime will surely use the crisis in Iraq to its own geopolitical advantage Iran cannot nevertheless realistically be expected to sit by while it has the ability to nip in the bud a potentially dangerous threat like the Islamic State. Oren can argue that Iran and Hezbollah's military capabilities at present could damage Israel more than Islamic State could at this point in time. But that doesn't necessarily mean the Islamic State is a good, let alone effective, counterbalance to Iran and its Shia proxies in the region. The contrary will likely prove to be the case if those with the ability to counter the Islamic State cease to do so and Iran steps in and fills the power vacuum and confronts this dangerous group which is reaping chaos, destruction and terror across the region. There has been talk and speculation over U.S./Iran cooperation on the 'Islamic State' threat to Iraq in recent weeks. Something that has drawn considerable ire and consternation amongst Israelis who are wary of Washington's ability to contain what they see as the impending threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.The history of Iran-Israel cooperation is indeed an interesting story. Indeed in regard to Iraq it's common knowledge that the Israelis and the Iranians had mutual interests in containing the Saddam Hussein regime which Israel saw as a greater evil at that point in time. The Israeli Air Force destroyed the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981 for example after failed Iranian attempts to do so beforehand. In retrospect that incident serves as a classic case of Israel backing, in a limited but nonetheless existent degree, a lesser evil against a greater one as they then saw it.However Mr. Oren has put forth quite a controversial view in regard to the present crisis in Iraq. In a recent interview with Jeffrey Goldberg in The Atlantic Oren proposed that “the lesser evil is the Sunnis over the Shias.” Even in light of the Jihadi threat posed by this rampaging Islamic State group – which, while operating with a Sunni veneer, promulgates a very obscurantist Sunnite form of Islam.Oren then went on to elaborate by saying that the threat to Israel posed by Iran and its Hezbollah proxy is “of a different magnitude entirely.” He said the U.S. shouldn't “make a pact with Iran.” Not even a temporary one to deal with the ongoing crisis in Iraq.Oren was careful with his words and was careful not to sound unreasonable when outlining why he feels this way. However the view that a group like 'Islamic State' is a counterbalance to Iranian influence in the region and the Iranian regime at home is a dangerous one if put into practice. The attempted Talibanization of Iraq by a group like 'Islamic State' is a threat to everyone.Furthermore instability in Iran will not undermine the regime there but rather give it more control over its population as a threat to Iran's security in form of a violent and unstable Iraq next door coupled with possible infiltrations by Sunni terrorists in the Iranian Khuzestan province and elsewhere could serve to seriously undermine reformist tendencies in Iran. Undermine them in a way not unlike how Saddam Hussein's invasion of the oil-rich Iranian Khuzestan province in September 1980 served to unite the country under the then new regime as the people, quite rightfully, saw the country under threat of being dismembered by an outside power.Such a scenario would likely and predictably enhance the power of elements in Iran that are more hostile to Israel not undermine it.Aside from this salient reality regardless of what regime is in power there Iran will be wary of a threat like the Islamic State group in its neighbour Iraq. Relative inaction on the part of the present U.S administration in response to the Islamic State and an unwillingness on its part for undergoing a serious intervention is seeing to Iran gradually filling the vacuum and helping the Maliki government in Baghdad confront the Islamic State and restore its control over Sunni majority areas of the country where those fighters have seized territory.Israel has similarly said it will assist its neighbour the Kingdom of Jordan if it too comes under attack from Islamic State fighters. Israel, not unlike Iran in this case, knows it just cannot risk letting such a group destabilize its neighbours territory and use it as a potential launchpad from which to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel.The Iranian people have suffered from terrorism at the hands of the terrorist Jundallah group (which also has a Sunni veneer to its extremism) in the past. They may under the hands of the Islamic State in the near future.While the Tehran regime will surely use the crisis in Iraq to its own geopolitical advantage Iran cannot nevertheless realistically be expected to sit by while it has the ability to nip in the bud a potentially dangerous threat like the Islamic State.Oren can argue that Iran and Hezbollah's military capabilities at present could damage Israel more than Islamic State could at this point in time. But that doesn't necessarily mean the Islamic State is a good, let alone effective, counterbalance to Iran and its Shia proxies in the region. The contrary will likely prove to be the case if those with the ability to counter the Islamic State cease to do so and Iran steps in and fills the power vacuum and confronts this dangerous group which is reaping chaos, destruction and terror across the region. This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com More about Michael Oren, Israel, Iran, Islamic state, Iraq Michael Oren Israel Iran Islamic state Iraq