Iran is a major actor in the reactions of the Iraqi arena, and at various levels; it exercised an influential role in Iraq, and threw its weight to maintain this role and strengthen it constantly, for recognizing the importance of Iraq strategically , as an important gateway to the Arab region, and through it , the appropriate communication can be achieved to Iran with its allies in the rest of the countries of the area . this role with the political , security, economic, and ideological dimensions , that it was not to reach the current state unless the crisis that Iraq is going through; so the first opportunity was permitted for Iran to extend its influence in Iraq after the American occupation in post April 9 2003. the second opportunity has occurred in the light of the security crisis in Iraq since the beginning of 2014, and erupted in June 10 of the same year after the takeover of state regulation in Iraq and the Levant “Daash” on a number of Iraqi provinces. Iran’s role has passed a new phase when it took a form of critical security in the fight against al Daash in Iraq through the presence of officers and experts and the Iranian forces directly in the Iraqi arena , as well as through the sale of weapons and military equipment and provide intelligence data to Iraqi forces. And the appointment of Qasim Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a few days ago, a military adviser to the Iraqi government. And politically, Iraq refused the decisive storm led by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen and its reservation on the decision of the League of Arab States in March of this year, as to consider the Lebanese Hezbollah a terrorist party. This role is grown and developed as a result of changes in the balance of the Iraqi internal forces, as well as regional and international n the environment of the Middle East. In this context, we will shed light on the way of penetration of Iran to the Iraqi structure.
The latest US occupation of Iraq has made a big repercussions on the entire regional Arab system and even the Middle East region as a whole, as both Iran and the United States came out being fundamental forces in the region that Iran have taken advantage in its movements in the region and its account for its regional steps to the idea of weakness and contradiction of Arab responses to it . The US occupation for Iraq exceeded the stage of dropping the Arabic system to destroy bases of the Iraqi state, the stage where the United States to impose political process based on sectarian bases, so that Iraq is divided into sects of Sunnis and Shiites, Arabs and Kurds, all of them looking for a role in the political process and wants to make gains for its own. It is what the United States wanted it and wanted by Iran , where Iraq came out of the balance of Arab powers and the strategic equation outside the Gulf region, noting that Iraq has been engaged in its internal problems and attempts at reconstruction, leaving its Arab framework behind after that was the most important Arab actors in the region.
the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003 provided a historic opportunity for the Iranian regime to transform its relationship with Iraq – which was formerly one of the most enemies. Iran has taken advantage of the long, porous border with Iraq and its long-term relations with main Iraqi politicians and Iraqi parties and armed groups as well as its soft power of economic, religious and media fields to expand its influence and thus consolidate its position as the main mediator of external force in Iraq . The occupation of the United States of Iraq is the greatest strategic gift presented to the Iranian regime to proceed with its expansion project, which begins in tightening control on Iraq to extend later on to the -Levant countries. As for this project motivations, forms and influential tools . there are several motives led Iran to enter as one of the key players in the developments in the Iraqi arena, notably:
– Find a regional outlet , where the Iranian government direct its policy of escalation in Iraq, as part of policy of research for a outlet, because of what is going through the internal contradictions derived from the economic declined situation , and repeated conflicts on the centers of influence between the Iranian regime wings, especially that the Iraqi security crisis has raised fear levels of its extension into Iran.
– Ideological sectarian dimension , where Iran ‘s role in Iraq was based to the ideological sectarian dimension in its intervention to the Iraqi government in its war against the state regulation of state in Iraq and the Levant “Daash”, under the pretext of protection of places of religious Shiite shrines in Iraq, and Iranian visitors coming to it, and according to the Fatawa launched by the religious Shiite authority so – called “Ulkipaia Jihad.”
– The employment of the war on terror, as there is an Iranian desire to exploit the international war on Sunni armed groups to consolidate its influence in Iraq, and change its image from the accused of supporting terrorism , to a partner in the fight against it.
– a strategic starting point for the region, there is an Iranian strategic Iranian interest that sees Iraq as an important starting point for the Iranian incursion into the rest of the region, whether towards Syria, or Lebanon, Jordan and the Gulf states.
– An escalation of security challenge to the Iraqi government , in light of the inability of the Government of Iraq to confront “Daash” when its control over large parts of the country, and the delay of the United States and Arab countries to help the government in Baghdad to meet this regulation, Iran took advantage of the need of Iraq and the situation is going through, providing arms , ammunition, and military support to Iraqi forces before other countries to strengthen its role in Iraq.
– The nature of US policy toward Iraq , where the Barack Obama administration ‘s policy encouraged Iran ‘s role in the practice of the effects on the Iraqi Interior balances. Although Iran is not officially participated in the international coalition to fight terrorism, led by Washington, the US administration welcomed the Iranian role in Iraq, which means granting Tehran the green light to play a role in Iraq.
– Iraqi environment, whether political or social, or economic, or security environment , that it provides a fertile ground, and tools needed for the growing Iranian influence, in terms of the existence of political parties, movements, organizations, and armed militias with ideological link with Iran that achieve in its turn what is required by the Iranian role of targets Unlike Iran’s recognition of the need for these agencies to support them in order to remain in positions of power and influence.
Iran proceeded since the occupation of Iraq in 2003 to the incursions into Iraqi society as a target that makes its interference in its political affairs is automatically without facing the charge of interfering in the affairs of a sovereign country, and then it pretended under the a pretext that everything it does in Iraq is at the request of its government, to be able through this policy of making Iraq with its successive governments successive obedient for its directions. In order to deepen its incursion in Iraq, Iran is practiced in Iraq, many forms are:
First: the political role. The first steps of the Iranian political role in Iraq lies in its support for the democratic experience , which the United States has imposed on the political scene in Iraq, to the fact that the Iranian regime realize that this experience is still immature and will pave the pro-access to power. And the Shiite alliance with its various names has become the largest bloc since the first elections that were held in Iraq after 2003, whereas the Shiites loyal to Iran have dominated on the boards of the House of Representatives for three consecutive sessions since 2005 and until now, indifferent to the election results in some cases; as happened in the 2010 election, the victory of the Iraqi List , which led by Iyad Allawi who had to leave the primacy to Nuri al – Maliki. The formation of a second government in December 2010 under the presidency of Prime Minister Nuri al – Maliki as a milestone in Iran ‘s efforts to unite the Shiite political allies in Iraq.
But , in order to succeed in achieving these political goals, Iran has focused since 2003 on a factor of community in Iraq, which the Shiites represent the largest proportion of it, according to estimates of institutions and destinations related to Iran , to create a popular base in favor of its orientations under the pretext of unity of the doctrine and the necessity of Shiite commitment to velayat-e faqih based on religious interpretations exploited by Tehran politically indifferent to the presence of senior Shiite authority in Najaf with its four authorities (mrajaha), which repeatedly tried to pull the rug out from them.
The political role of Iran in Iraq is represented by the relationships and links to the Iraqi government and political movements and parties that are active in the political process and decision-making positions, which makes it easier to influence the ongoing events and developments and policies taken in Iraq. And politically, Iran is working continuously on loosening of the political situations in Iraq, including the Iraqi government to make it weak, and to find political elites loyal and obedient to Iran, the extent of weakness and need of the Iraqi government to Iran , Iran will achieve as much as its interests. In addition, the emergence of the Iranian role in the Iraqi decision by providing consultancy for politicians and Iraqi decision-makers Iraqis about the many Iraqi political and economic issues and problems , which are evident in Iraq’s internal developments, and the position of Iraq from external issues, not the least of which the subordination of the Iraqi position to Iran on the Syrian crisis, the decisive storm , and events targeting the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran.
Tehran exercise its influence through its embassy in Baghdad and consulates in Basra and Karbala, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The two ambassadors of it who were appointed after 2003, they had served in the “Quds Force” that belongs to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps” (responsible for covert operations abroad), and this confirms the role played by the Iranian security forces in the formulation and implementation of Iran’s policy in Iraq. Sometimes these security devices have been used clients of «Hezbollah» the Lebanese, who speak Arabic to facilitate support the rebel militias and groups .
Second , the religious role. Iran has made a breakthrough and influential in religious matters on the Iraqi arena, and seized control of a broad spectrum of Iraqis under the name of “shiism”, through inciting sectarian issues and promoting the idea of unfairness. Iran has great influence on the clergy in religious and scientific seminaries (Hawzat). Iran also had an active role in moving the religious and political issues through religious fatwas issued by clerics linked to Iran.
The role of Iran will be more powerful if its endeavor has been achieved if Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, who was born in Iraq and one of senior officials in the Iranian regime , under take the succession of the religious marja Ali al-Sistani in Iraq.
Third , the economic role. The economic role of Iran in Iraq is represented in the broader penetration in various economic and industrial sectors and investment sectors and religious tourism and business sectors, and facilitate the granting of visas for Iranians traders and investors, and filled the Iraqi markets with Iranian consumer and cheap goods , even Iran was managed to be a major trading partner of Iraq, and the biggest investors in it since 2003, noting that the Iranian investments in Iraq have reached to nearly $ 12 billion, and there are four joint banks between the two countries to enhance financial flows, and the Iranian companies undertake projects to build four million of housing units in Iraq, as well as Iran ‘ s ability of the economic penetration in Kurdistan by expanding economic relations with the Kurds in the post – 9 April 2003, and the booming of trade a cross the border ; where dozens of contracts were made with Iranian companies, especially in the construction and telecommunications business in the Kurdistan Region.
Fourth: the security , military role . It is the most prominent role at the present time, it was illustrated by the direct presence , where Iranian military forces and military advisers and trainers were deployed and implementation of the Iranian fighters of the air sorties along on the border line with Iraq , , under the pretext of protecting visitors and Shiite shrines and support allies of the political parties and armed factions . Iran is also seeking to strengthen its presence and its intelligence activities in Kurdistan, and the dissemination of secret Iranian intelligence agents, and there is in Sulaimaniya , a place of business for “Aqrarga – Ramadan , ” an arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces responsible for northern Iraq section.
Fifth: the social and cultural side Iran opened by representatives of its higher Murshed in Iraq , all of the channels which encourage Iraq ‘s Shiites to find in it an extension of them, thus there were the Iraqi – Iranian marriages , mutual tourist trips , educational courses and others of the factors that led to the strengthening of the social fabric among Iraqi Shiites and the citizens of Iran. And different sides of Iranian funding such as the studies centers and media institutions and institutes work to attract active figures in Iraqi society for sending them to Iranian cities. Iranian Universities sent invitations to some of of Iraqi universities to host university professors aiming of scientific exchanges, but the one who goes there finds himself a guest subject to intensive program aimed at the awakening of a desire in the Iranian experience and advantages of velayat – e faqih regime.
Iraq has become a major destination for the Iranian religious tourists . As some 40,000 Iranians are visiting the holy cities in Iraq a month, and it is estimated that about three to four million people to visit Iraq during the annual ceremonies of Ashura . The Najaf, a traditional center of the Shiite world and its star is emerged as an important Iraqi politician center and perhaps it comes directly after Baghdad, and it has become the focus of Iranian investments that benefit disproportionately the Tehran’s allies from local politicians. In this way , Iran buy its influence in Iraq.
Sixth: the side of youth. Iranian incursion into Iraqi society has focused on young people to make them fighters in the armed factions affiliated to Iran and represents an advanced defenses lines for it without the involvement of their children for this matter noting that the statements of the commander of the Qods Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qassem Soleimani that Iraq does not need others to intervene which is an answer to those who declare the existence of Iranian soldiers are fighting on the ground in Iraq, it is only a confirmation that Iran is using Iraqi youth to defend itself and its own system , and not , as some believe that it is committed to non – interference in its affairs by refraining from sending troops there. And nearly a hundred thousand of Iraqi youth are engaged in the ranks of militant groups, most of them Shiites, and the bulk of them belong to military wings that believes to the velayat – e faqih, anf follow it Although the fatwa Ulkipaia Jihad ,in which the popular crowd was formed in Iraq , was made and issued from al- Najaf authority (marjat) , and not from the supreme leader (Al-Murshed), in the sense that Khamenei kidnapped the work done by Ayatollah Ali al – Sistani. The one who is wandering around the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad in particular regions of East like Sadr City and its neighboring areas inhabited by a Shiite majority , as they are classified since 2003 , and as is the case in the southern provinces, he finds centers and the headquarters of the armed factions scattered in all neighborhoods, while cars of its elements are wandering going and coming without facing any problem from a military checkpoint.
Iran has a variety of means by which it can influence on events and developments in Iraq, most notably:
- ideological influence:Iran greatly concerned with thereligious , sectarian dimension in a way the ruled its policy and its relations with political and armed parties , especially those that believe in the “velayat – e faqih” movements. In contrast , the Islamic forces and parties with Shiite belonging are considering Iran as a strategic dimension and depth to it and its activities ,in which Iran has been able to invest it to influence them and introduces itself as a “protector of the doctrine” and the source of fatwas that a significant segment of Shiites in Iraq are driven to it. Iran relied on fueling ideological conflict in Iraq to ensure the win of the Shiites, particularly the Revolutionary enthusiastic young people who suffer at the same time difficult economic circumstances, to find anything to aspire to the ranks of the political parties and armed factions and loyalty primarily to the Supreme Leader of Iran (Al-Murshed) . In this regard Followers of the Iraq affairs believes that Iran is fueling the ideological conflict was of much benefit for it , and that armed factions backed by them and keep track of velayat – e faqih represent a major threat to Iraq. And assert that Iran is trying to exterminate the Sunni component in Iraq or make it at their disposal, explaining that groups like Hezbollah in Iraq and theLeague of the Righteous play a negative role in targeting Iraqi Sunnis They want to have a decision , even in provinces with a Sunni majority such as Anbar, Nineveh, Salahuddin and Diyala which witnessing a war against the state organization in Iraq and the Levant “Daash.” These observers do not hide that Iran ‘s attempts to target Sunni lawmakers who move internally and externally to stop the Iranian tide in Iraq, and criticizing at the same timethat the the international community does not interact with this matter and the decline of the United States from tits positions in Iraq against Iran.
Second support in the elections: Iran is working to influence the outcome of the various elections by supporting its favor candidates , and provide advise to them, and to encourage its allies to contest the elections under a single list to prevent division of votes of their constituents, and in addition to that, but in order to ensure secure its interests ,regardless of who is the winner , Tehran secured their bets by supporting a number of Shiite parties and movements that are loyal to the Iranian regime.
And based on the realization of Iran that the elections are means of effect of two-edged ; first to ensure the arrival of its allies to power, and the second to deliver a message to the various political parties in Iraq that Iran possesses impressive power to anyone who wants access to power of Parliament.
III funding and financial support: a substantial financial support provided by Iran for political parties and armed movements in Iraq is one of the most important influencing factors of Iran on it . This support comes in two forms: the first is the direct financial support to political parties and movements and militias (leaders and members), the second form is to put funds in the service of many of clergy for the purpose of intellectual, political and religious influence through them on the Iraqi society.
IV exercise the role of mediator: Iran played at times of political crises and partisan conflicts a role of political mediator , particularly in the case of the emergence of rifts between political parties and movements, as well as among armed factions and militias, and Iran ‘s direct role in persuading the Sadrists to move from armed resistance to peaceful resistance and to enter and participate in the political process .Iran has always been to keep the shiite parties and currents in the one bloc to ensure quotas for all these powers in state institutions, to avoid political confrontations that threaten to undermine the excessive achievements of Iran in the various elections . On the other hand, Iran has used its armed dealers of Shiite warriors to ignite the sectarian tensions and inciting political violence, then coming to diplomatically resolve these conflicts – which ensures its role as a mediator in Iraq.
- media and publicity: Iran is controlling to dozens of Iraqi and Iranian media and satellite channels , and aims through which to influence public opinion in Iraq and the ideas and trends to its advantage , and these media promote for Iranian visions regarding the issue of Iraq, or the developments and events in the region. Iranian moves in Iraq were not limited to this framework, as dozens of media organizations operating in Iraq today are funded from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei , through a special agent, that is required from every political movement or armed faction wants the Iranian support the existence of a media pavilion that promotes the ideas of Iranian experience and the Velaval- efaqih. Similarly, Iraqi channels receive funding in the millions of dollars a month on condition of commitment to the policy of the Iranian regime. Political parties and Shiite armed factions exploited the conditions of Iran of the existence of Iran ‘s media means to raise the number of its supporters by offering them jobs in these institutions especially since its budgets are already limited, this means increasing the supporters of Iran , of course. Iran worked to exploit the economic situation to win the Iraqis through the providing all commercial facilities to investors and traders to become the first destination for them.
VI Alternative Policy: Iran adopted the style of the diversity and multiplicity of movements and political parties, militias and factions in Iraq, and encouraged many of the leaders and personalities of it to the split and form their own new military groups, these new groups enable Tehran to diversify its political and military purse in Iraq, and have a room to replacing any destination trying to get out of its policy by replacing it with the other party , especially in light of the realization of the various factions and militias of the importance of its need to Iran ‘s support that is in case of withdrawal of the fund of Iran , it will not be able to stay in the Iraqi arena .
From the foregoing it can be summed up the foundations of Iranian policy in Iraq after the year 2003 on the following pillars, including
Unified weak Iraq : Iran does not seem enthusiastic about the calls launched by some Iraqi parties to divide Iraq into three mini – states , Kurdish state in the north, Sunni in the center and Shiite in the south, as this could jeopardize their interests in the long term, especially in terms of internal defections expected for this option, where perhaps enhance the aspirations of Iranian Kurds in the establishment of a Kurdish state, including may create instability inside Iran at the present time. From here , it can be explained the state of tension that characterized relations between Iran and the president of Iraq ‘s Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, due to repeated indications made by the latter regarding the possibility of establishing a Kurdish state in the north, where Tehran, in the July 8, 2014 sent a warning to Kurdish leaders in Sulaymaniyah of the danger of the trend of the consequences of secession, threatening that it will close all border crossings between the two countries, and support any team opposed to this trend, which considered it an “Israeli conspiracy” targeting the breach of regional powers balance , which sought to establishment of it with the Lebanese Hezbollah.
On the other hand, a strong Iraq is not a comfortable choice for Tehran, it could threaten its interests in Iraq and the region in general, it will not become a strong Iraq only in the event include all the political forces of Iraq within the power equation, including the powers which refuses the Iranian influence in Iraq. The strong Iraq could threaten Iran’s national security, as was the case in the era of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who imposed on Iran war that lasted eight years.
- Shiite domination: Iran hassought, since the beginning of the US occupation of Iraq in 2003, to enable the Shiite powers allies of it to control of the reins of power in Iraq, and here made strenuous efforts in order to reduce the sharp differences between the various Shiite forces, and persuade them to form a strong alliance it can through it to control the levers of power, which is what actually happened when it contributed in the formation of the Shiite National Alliance , which includes most key powerful Shiite powers, such as a “citizen” of the Islamic Supreme Council bloc led by Abdul Aziz al – Hakim, and the bloc of “Ahrar” , which represents the Sadrist movement led by Muqtada al- Sadr, and a list of “state of the law” led by former prime minister, Nuri al – Maliki.
Iran was not satisfied only with this, but sought to exclude Iraqi opponents “Aerobien” from the political scene, including some of the Shiite characters and symbols, like the leader of the “Iraqi List” Iyad Allawi, where Tehran’ has spent unremitting efforts in order to prevent his arrival to the post of Prime Minister, after the elections held in March 2010, although his list for the first place at the time, so it was able, with the help of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, to renew the mandate of Nuri al-Maliki, where his list got to the second place in those elections.
- Regional axis: Iran exerts special attention to the stability of the regional axis which was established under its leadership, including Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon ‘sHezbollah, which is the axis that exercised in March an important role, not only in preventing the fall of Syrian President Bashar al- Assad ‘s regime, but also to enable it to regain control again, by achieving victories of the quality over the strong armed opposition.
Hezbollah has turned into an important figure in the Syrian conflict, which contributed to the victories achieved by the Syrian regime over the strong opposition, not only to prevent the fall of the Syrian regime, but also in order to maintain communication between Syria and Lebanon lines that its close or the control of opposition on it will cause big problems for Hezbollah, as well as to bridge the gaps that some elements belonging to extremist currents successfully exploited to carry out terrorist operations inside Lebanon, namely in the areas controlled by Hezbollah.
Also Baghdad adopted , in the era of former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, supportive policy to the Iranian role in the Syrian crisis, which turned into what might be called a “channel of communication” between Iran and the Syrian regime for the transfer of Iranian aid to the latter, it is raised internationally displeasure that was evident in the frequent claim by the United States to the Iraqi government to conduct inspections on Iranian aircraft flying to Syria on suspicion of transportation of Iranian weapons to the Assad regime.
As for Iran’s strategy after getting rid Iraq of the control of state regulation lies in the consolidation of its role in the manner that achieves thits interests and serves its objectives at various levels political and security, and economically, and religiously suitable to its regional extension , in light of the data and variables of the international arena and its orientations adopted by the Iranian President Hassan Ruhani management . It is possible, according to the data of reality that the Iranian role in Iraq to take multiple dimensions as followed:
– The political dimension , based on the direct Iranian presence, and the need of the forces and the Iraqi currents for the Iranian support to stay in power, Tehran will exercise a political role by influencing the course of the political process, government trends, and will work to achieve a balance between the movements of religious allied parties and support it for the control over various Iraqi state institutions , and the exclusion of powers and currents of national trends , which opposes the Iranian role.
It is also expected that Iran is trying to keep the Iraqi government in a position that can not be independent from Iranian orientation, as well as it seeks to attach the positions of Iraqi government to the position of the government of Tehran to the developments of Arab issues, and influence Iraq ‘s Arab , regional and international relations which began to happen when Iraqi position came in tune with the Iranian opposition to the operation ” the decisive storm ” led by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen situation.
– Economic dimension : it is seeking to dominate the Iraqi markets,and filled it with the Iranian goods and products with cheap prices compared to imported goods from other countries, and focus on the consumer aspects and not productivity in order to monopolize production outlets to Iran without Iraq. Add to this that there are expectations of higher trade exchange between the two countries from $ 12 billion in 2014 to $ 22 billion level in 2015.
As far as Iran can undermine the economic , industrial, agricultural structures , it will supply Iraqi market with what is required to meet the demand for them, and Iran to have a role in the reconstruction and investment projects in the provinces that the Iraqi government would restore the control on it, and drive elements of the “Daash” out of it , and Iran will take advantage from the banking sector in Iraq to meet the need of foreign currency it needs, in light of the international sanctions imposed on it.
– The security dimension: the security crisis and the escalation of the role of “Daash” in Iraq had shown the nature of the Iranian multifunction security role .Since the beginning of the crisis, it clearly emerged the direct presence of elements of Iran ‘s security and intelligence services in Iraq, and began its field spread under the pretext of protecting religious places and shrines, and help the Iraqi security forces to confront the “Daash fighters.” It is expected that this presence remains in the next phase under justifications, including the reorganization of the Iraqi security forces, and provide security and intelligence consulting to confront “terrorism”, and the protection of religious shrines.
In addition to this direct security presence, there is a Shiite militias in Iraq linked to Iran, which represents indirect security presence to Tehran. This dimension gives the most momentum in the influence of the Iranian role in the course of events in the Iraqi arena in the future.
– The religious dimension: Iran ‘s quest to control the religious shiite Marja (authority) in Iraq, and restraining the influence of religious Arabism authorities , or that do not recognize the principle of velayat – e faqih, and the consolidation of the influence of marja of Iranian origin , through weakening the religious seminaries(Hawza) in Najaf for the benefit of seminaries(Hawza) of the Iranian city -Qom , “then “Iran.
As for the mechanism of the face of Iranian infiltration in Iraq , it requires a combination of several factors for its success, and can be summed up as follows : First : building a regional alliance: including each of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey, because it is very difficult for one of these countries to confront Iran alone . In practice this building faces challenges to achieve it due to the deep differences between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates on the part an Turkey on the other hand, here , Saudi Arabia undertake the task of this alliance due to its historical expertise in this area, Al-Riyadh is well known for decades how to engineer the relations between Egypt and Syria despite the clash of their policies on many issues, it can repeat the experiment between the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al- Sisi. the triple meeting between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria was working for decades despite the differences between the last two countries for the position in the issues of Palestine and Lebanon, since the “Steadfastness and Confrontation Front”, to the Lebanese wars. And It is from the Iran-Iraq war to relations with the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and relations with Turkey before the rise of the Justice and Development Party. It was along list of differences, but it did not spoil the good intention of this meeting. And the new leadership in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under King Salman bin Abdulaziz seemed to be at the level to the challenge in response to the policies of Iran. The latter may be bet on the busy of this leadership to arrange the internal situation after the departure of King Abdullah, sought to confuse it in Yemen and the waters of the Arabian Gulf .Riyadh can combine the two great Sunni poles of the Middle East, despite the differences between them. If the goal of the three countries to maintain its strategic interests in any changes after the signing of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the “five – plus-one group,” and what may result from the war on terrorism , which does not seem that the United States is willing to throw its weight to change the equation on the ground.
According to historical practices in the field of international relations that it is possible to do this kind of alliance, especially if a threat to countries in the region was appeared. as a threat of Iranian influence in the Levant and to boost of the control on four Arab capitals and one of these capitals has been and continues to be a capital of the Persian Empire and is an extension of its culture and civilization. the historical examples of such kind of alliances , for example but not limited to :-
1-Russian British coalition at the end of the nineteenth century against Germany: Britain and Russia were competed and disputed for more control over Iran as part of what was termed at the time a big game, but this conflict and competition was put aside and cooperated in the face of Germany , which emerged as an emerging power after unity in 1870
2. Alliance , which combines the capitalist West with the communist East in the face of Hitler ‘s Germany: noting that the victories of Hitler during the second World war disturbed them , which pushed for an alliance to confront it , and win it, despite the political, economic and ideological differences, as international relations experts called this kind of coalition “strange alliance” because of the difficulty to achieve it at the theoretical level, but political realism during World war II imposed on the states of socialism and capitalism tendencies to neutralize their differences and cooperate together, and this is what happened.
Second restoration of the official Arab role in Iraq, and this requires the intensification of diplomatic support through the reopening of the embassies of Arab countries to achieve a diplomatic balance with Iran in Iraq.
Third – support the project of the National Guard Law: The United States is supportive for its approval since its embassy in Baghdad entered on the line in the discussions of the National Guard Act. Which saw major conflicts within the corridors of the Iraqi Council of Representatives among the Sunni blocs paid to approval as a means to achieve a balance with the sectarian popular crowd forces, and the Shiite forces have relations linked with Iran who are trying to obstruct it . Perhaps the reason for Iran and its bloc and militias from the approval the law that is to loss the control over Iraqi provinces with a Sunni character like Mosul and Anbar, Salahuddin and Diyala, in terms that each province will form a guard from the province only. And thus cut off the road on Iran and deprive it from its only land contact with Syria and the eastern Mediterranean.
Fourth Establishment satellite directed to the Iraqi people aimed to enlighten the Iraqi public opinion in particular and the Arab world in general about the negative role that Iran play in Iraq of political, security and economic side and focus on poverty, hunger and corruption issues , which are backed by Iran, on the other hand this satellite is working to bring together the components of Iraqi society and especially between Sunnis and Shiites as Iran brought sectarian polarization between them to an unprecedented degree , and the events of the explosion of the two shrines in 2006, are considered one of the evidence on Iranian sectarian policy of ignition the Iraqi internal situation.
In conclusion we can say that the Iranian infiltration in Iraq did not stem up from Iran ‘s power only , but as a result of the Iraqi, regional and international and internal variables and conditions , and it has been exploited by Iran as a pressure paper and negotiation in its international files and achieve gains at Iraq ‘s expense without even looking for their Iraqi allies , and that the role of Iran in Iraq has damaged Iraq and Iraqis more than to what have been achieved for the Iraqi interests, and it was a reason to isolate Iraq from its Arab surrounding- the mother. Iranian presence in Iraq has become prickly to the point of more than being complex , which is definitly the most dangerous nuclear weapons. Iran has been able to dominate Iraq through several strategies that are to enable its supporters of Iraqi politicians to take power and support them to stay in power, and the second is to repeat the popular military experience to make Iraqi soldiers defending Iran ‘s security indirectly by virtue of that they are fighting in defense of their land, as well as an infiltration into Iraqi society in many ways , including through religious – ideological, economic , social means and others. In the long term, the nature of the relationship between Iraq and Iran will depend to a large extent on the security situation in Iraq and the political structure of the Iraqi government and the type of long – term relationship built by Iraq with its Arab neighbors and the United States of America.
Rawabet Center for Research and Strategic Studies