Brookings: The topic:--"Saudi Arabia and Iraq: An Evolving Relationship"

Another bombshell discussion!  The Brookings has outstanding present-day international analysts!  Its discussion on Saudi Arabia and Iraq relations featured Bruce Riedel, Brookings as moderator of a panel that also included Ranj Alaaldin, Brookings; Professor Katherine Harvey, Georgetown University, author of A Self-fulfilling Prophecy: The Saudi Struggle for Iraq; and Ken Pollack, American Enterprise Institute.  It was an online presentation, Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 10-11:15 A.M.

I gathered ideas, which may have been meant, or simply could be reached from the discussion, but they altogether seemed to be worthy of considering a groundwork of policy-formulation in the future in the Middle East--they being qualitatively of superior value, in my estimation.

One being that in order to help Iraq get re-established as a regional power will require a lot of money; and Iraq really isn't interested in closely analyzing who comes up with the anti!  As brought out in the discussion, the Saudis are concerned that any money coming from their nation not be syphoned to Iraq, which could happen because it is known among some circles that whatever money that's Iraqi's could be drawn upon by Iran during this period of grave sanctions against it.  But then certainly, the Saudis have some money that could be "thrown away" in an effort to help a neighboring state that is easily one of the most important states in the Middle East (Mr. Reidel's estimation, I think).  Especially, if by so doing, the Saudis gained from the goodwill they were demonstrating.  The point being, a nation is always taking a risk by reaching out to help another nation, trying to re-establish its regional prominence after a war.

Moreover, some of these analysts pointed out that the image of Saudi Arabia is changing among the Iraqis.  There was no embassy exchange for about 20 years or so until after 2010 or thereabouts.

But another point was stressed by speaker after speaker regarding Iran's influence on Iraq these days. The relationship is close on a one-to-one basis--Iranian and Iraqi.  That is to say, in my way of thinking, they're really tight!  Now for the Saudis and the other Gulf States to make deals, investments, and commitments with Iraq would likely require that one-on-one interpersonal network connection, it seems to me.

Well, I'm glad to report some analysts alluded to their perception that there doesn't seem to be a profound Muslim disagreement between the Shiia and Sunnis in Iraq, so that Muslims of either country may be on good speaking terms with one another, seemingly!