Iraqi elections to test Saudi rapprochement
Saudi Arabia's courting of Iraq's Shia religious and political leaders over the past year has marked a clear shift in Riyadh's policies towards Baghdad. But this rapprochement can go in one of two directions, according to analysts. Riyadh's efforts to engage Shia allies in Iraq could either defuse sectarianism across the country, or it could turn Iraq into […]Arwa Ibrahim writes for Al Jazeera:
Saudi Arabia's courting of Iraq's Shia religious and political leaders over the past year has marked a clear shift in Riyadh's policies towards Baghdad. But this rapprochement can go in one of two directions, according to analysts.
Riyadh's efforts to engage Shia allies in Iraq could either defuse sectarianism across the country, or it could turn Iraq into another stage for Iranian-Saudi rivalries.
With politicians taking part in Iraq's parliamentary elections in May hoping to form diverse, cross-sectarian coalitions, the vote stands to test whether Riyadh's moves in Baghdad will gain enduring favour.
