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Iraq-Saudi ties need strategic context
Author: Mustafa al-Kadhimi Posted March 27, 2014
Recent developments in the relationship between Iraq and the Gulf states, in particular Saudi Arabia, can be traced back to a history of political estrangement. Both parties can be blamed for the implied accusations and the confusion in managing shared issues.
Regardless of the accusations of supporting terrorism made by Iraq on March 9 against Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and away from the frequent news about the Gulf?s diplomatic and media escalation against the background of these statements, the basis of the crisis between the two sides is not mainly linked to terrorism. For many decades, the relationship between Iraq and the Gulf states has been based on shaky foundations. They finally collapsed during Iraq?s occupation of Kuwait in 1990.
History does not show Iraq has had stable relations with neighboring countries. This is not to mention that its security, and political and economic challenges do not help improve these relations. However, this reality cannot last forever.
It is no secret that Iraq?s neighbors did little to help the country make a smooth transition from dictatorship to democratic rule. On the contrary, there has been serious regional intervention in the security and political situation in Iraq. For many years, terrorist groups in Iraq have been supported by foreign parties, which led to bloodshed and death across the country.
This reality requires a strategic vision to address, not just diagnose, the situation.
Without tangible evidence presented to international courts, Iraq is in no position to make international accusations of terrorism against Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
No radical changes can be made to the ties between two countries, whether positively or negatively, on the basis of mere statements alone.
Fighting against terrorism, drying up its sources and monitoring the states that facilitate its spread cannot be done through media statements alone. Above all, it is a process based on political, intelligence and security activities.
In light of the past and ongoing bloodshed, Iraq and the international community ought to take a stance to track down terrorist organizations and strip them of their capabilities, whether in terms of resources or moral support offered by fatwas and sympathetic forums.
At the same time, Iraq needs a more composed vision to deal with this thorny issue. Caution and calm do not mean that Iraq is incapable of clarifying its point of view and raising doubts about terrorism. Calm is necessary in international relations and a condition in dialogues between countries, which ensures international credibility.
Developments in Saudi Arabia and a number of Gulf states regarding terrorist organizations are seen as an important step, requiring positive responses on the part of Iraq to open the doors of cooperation between these countries so as to achieve a common goal, which is to eliminate terrorism or at least undermine its capabilities.
Iraq has many complaints about the organizations, associations and people involved in funding terrorism. Saudi Arabia?s recent declaration of a ban on the funding of terrorism ought to be met with positive reaction on Iraq?s part.
Iraq should provide necessary information in this regard, through formal channels, to track down and intercept funders of terrorism.
Saudi Arabia has announced that it will hold its citizens who are involved in terrorist organizations criminally responsible. This step ought to be met with Iraqi responsiveness, through mutual contacts to achieve the greatest degree of cooperation in detecting terrorist leaders and intercepting terrorists? routes and lines of communication.
Iraq needs to calmly deal with this thorny file. We need to turn the Gulf decisions into actions and mechanisms that will serve a common goal: the war against terrorism.
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Author: Mustafa al-Kadhimi Posted March 27, 2014
Recent developments in the relationship between Iraq and the Gulf states, in particular Saudi Arabia, can be traced back to a history of political estrangement. Both parties can be blamed for the implied accusations and the confusion in managing shared issues.
Regardless of the accusations of supporting terrorism made by Iraq on March 9 against Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and away from the frequent news about the Gulf?s diplomatic and media escalation against the background of these statements, the basis of the crisis between the two sides is not mainly linked to terrorism. For many decades, the relationship between Iraq and the Gulf states has been based on shaky foundations. They finally collapsed during Iraq?s occupation of Kuwait in 1990.
History does not show Iraq has had stable relations with neighboring countries. This is not to mention that its security, and political and economic challenges do not help improve these relations. However, this reality cannot last forever.
It is no secret that Iraq?s neighbors did little to help the country make a smooth transition from dictatorship to democratic rule. On the contrary, there has been serious regional intervention in the security and political situation in Iraq. For many years, terrorist groups in Iraq have been supported by foreign parties, which led to bloodshed and death across the country.
This reality requires a strategic vision to address, not just diagnose, the situation.
Without tangible evidence presented to international courts, Iraq is in no position to make international accusations of terrorism against Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
No radical changes can be made to the ties between two countries, whether positively or negatively, on the basis of mere statements alone.
Fighting against terrorism, drying up its sources and monitoring the states that facilitate its spread cannot be done through media statements alone. Above all, it is a process based on political, intelligence and security activities.
In light of the past and ongoing bloodshed, Iraq and the international community ought to take a stance to track down terrorist organizations and strip them of their capabilities, whether in terms of resources or moral support offered by fatwas and sympathetic forums.
At the same time, Iraq needs a more composed vision to deal with this thorny issue. Caution and calm do not mean that Iraq is incapable of clarifying its point of view and raising doubts about terrorism. Calm is necessary in international relations and a condition in dialogues between countries, which ensures international credibility.
Developments in Saudi Arabia and a number of Gulf states regarding terrorist organizations are seen as an important step, requiring positive responses on the part of Iraq to open the doors of cooperation between these countries so as to achieve a common goal, which is to eliminate terrorism or at least undermine its capabilities.
Iraq has many complaints about the organizations, associations and people involved in funding terrorism. Saudi Arabia?s recent declaration of a ban on the funding of terrorism ought to be met with positive reaction on Iraq?s part.
Iraq should provide necessary information in this regard, through formal channels, to track down and intercept funders of terrorism.
Saudi Arabia has announced that it will hold its citizens who are involved in terrorist organizations criminally responsible. This step ought to be met with Iraqi responsiveness, through mutual contacts to achieve the greatest degree of cooperation in detecting terrorist leaders and intercepting terrorists? routes and lines of communication.
Iraq needs to calmly deal with this thorny file. We need to turn the Gulf decisions into actions and mechanisms that will serve a common goal: the war against terrorism.
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