Iraq, its neighbors, and the Obama administration : Syrian and Saudi perspectives : a joint report / by U.S. Institute of Peace and the Stimson Center.

Format:

Book

Government document

Contributor:

United States Institute of Peace

Henry L. Stimson Center

Series:

Working paper (United States Institute of Peace) ; 8.

United States Institute of Peace working paper ; [8]

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Iraq War, 2003-2011--Foreign public opinion, Syrian.

Iraq War, 2003-2011.

Iraq War, 2003-2011--Foreign public opinion, Saudi Arabian.

Syria--Foreign relations--Iraq.

Syria.

Iraq--Foreign relations--Syria.

Iraq.

Saudi Arabia--Foreign relations--Iraq.

Saudi Arabia.

Iraq--Foreign relations--Saudi Arabia.

Diplomatic relations.

Physical Description:

19 pages : digital, PDF file.

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : U.S. Institute of Peace, ©2009.

Summary:

The top concern for both Riyadh and Damascus remains blowback from Iraq: the ascendance of ethnic and sectarian identity and the spread of Islamist militancy. The need to contain this threat is the dominant force that shapes their relations with Iraq. Both Syria and Saudi Arabia have a vital interest in ensuring that Iraq's emerging political order is inclusive of Sunni Arab Iraqis, who have not yet been fully incorporated into Iraqi institutions. Syria and Saudi Arabia do not look at Iraq in isolation, nor do they assign it top priority among their foreign policy concerns. For them, Iraq is merely one element in a comprehensive view encompassing other regional players (including the U.S. and Iran) and other regional crises, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict. Lingering resentment and bitterness toward Washington is now mixed with intense curiosity and modest optimism about President Barack Obama. Saudis still bristle when recalling how the Bush Administration sidelined Riyadh on Iraqi matters; as do Syrians, who believe the previous administration was intent on isolating and undermining Damascus. Iraq remains very much isolated in its neighborhood. Recent progress on regional cooperation notwithstanding, these two neighbors are still focused more on containment than engagement.

Contents:

What's at stake?

Iraq and its neighbors since 2003

Syria and Iraq

Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed Mar. 25, 2009).

"February 9, 2009."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 18-19).

OCLC:

316992168