At Kuwait meeting, U.S. hope for regional aid to Iraq
The summit of Arab neighbors Tuesday is the third attempt to gain more support for Iraq's reconstruction from Sunni states. Baghdad's crackdown on Shiite militias may help.
from the April 22, 2008 edition
Page 3 of 3
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Reporter Howard LaFranchi talks about a potential new understanding between the US and Iran over Iraq and other issues.
"Iran's policy isn't particularly coherent," says Mr. Clawson. "They are doing things to help Maliki, but they are doing things that undermine him at the same time."
Some Iraqis say Iraq has become caught in the cross hairs of a bigger US-Iran fight. "Iraq is a battlefield between the US and Iran," says Dr. Timimi. "The Iraqis don't have an interest in this war, but there is nothing we can do to contain it; we are the weak party of the three."
But the Iranians are seen to be adjusting their approach to the US as conditions change in Iraq. A year ago they thought American political pressure at home would force a drawdown of US troops, and they were taking action to encourage that step. But having lost that immediate hope, the Iranians may be more prepared to cooperate.
Despite some optimism for the Kuwait meeting, some observers say Sunni Arab support for Iraq may remain on hold until two things happen: Iraq's Sunnis gain more political power through upcoming elections this fall and in December 2009, and conditions improve enough for large numbers of Sunni exiles to return. In the meantime, Iraq's Sunni Arab neighbors may remain preoccupied with other factors.
"The Saudis' first interest is in leveling the balance they see is now weighed towards the Shiites, and Iran," says Timimi.
Others say the Sunni Arabs are torn between supporting the US, and rejecting an American vision for the Middle East that has brought upheaval.
"These are American allies; they want to walk the American line," says Mr. Shameri. "But they also fear that the social and political upheaval Iraq is experiencing could end up affecting their regimes." Citing the example of a Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia demanding political rights, he adds, "Their own stability is their first interest."
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