Iraq's security forces received another helping hand from an otherwise politically threatening and threatened neighbor:

A company from the Iraqi Army’s 17th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 5th Division, commenced bilateral training at the Mubarak Military City training facility near Alexandria, Egypt Nov. 25, as the Iraqi government continues the security forces training effort.

The three-platoon company of 134 Soldiers – training with the Egyptian Army’s 3rd Division, Northern Command – will negotiate individual movement technique, squad movement, land navigation, basic rifle marksmanship, rifle qualification, and platoon and company attack and defense training including live fire exercises with their Egyptian counterparts.

In rather uncomplicated terms, the United States' old Cold War ally regimes in the Near East are strengthening the entity that will at least indirectly cause the undoing of their dictatorial reigns. So be it: however obligatory, killed with kindness will do.

ALSO: Central Command's website received a bit of a facelift. The same invaluable information, now with a sleeker look!

ON THE OTHER HAND: Iraq's dictatorial neighbors work best for the country when they do what they're told; not when they slyly offer fatal advice.