The storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by protesters on Tuesday has underscored the vulnerability of U.S. diplomats in a country stuck in the middle of a mounting conflict between the United States and Iran. U.S. diplomats were forced to hide in safe rooms as Marines flew in from Kuwait to protect them after supporters of an Iranian-backed militia broke through the first layer of security at the compound and damaged a reception area in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes that killed 25 fighters. For years, Iraq has been caught in a battle for influence between its two principal backers, the United States and Iran. The United States has steadily drawn down militarily following the 2003 invasion of Iraq but hoped to retain influence in […]