Comments on: 2. The Iraq International Support Group http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/ Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:45:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: James Warner http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-253 James Warner Tue, 09 Jan 2007 05:07:17 +0000 http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-253 I have a few problems with this section on Saudi Arabia. Firstly, if Iran was seriously interested in cementing its influence in Iraq, and was convinced it could succeed, then Saudi Arabia's nonagression pact would be of little interest to it. Secondly, if Saudi Arabia can "help Iraq confront and eliminate al Qaeda in Iraq," why can't we press them to do that now? Similarly, why can they not be pressed to persuade the Syrians to cooperate now? I have a few problems with this section on Saudi Arabia.

Firstly, if Iran was seriously interested in cementing its influence in Iraq, and was convinced it could succeed, then Saudi Arabia’s nonagression pact would be of little interest to it.

Secondly, if Saudi Arabia can “help Iraq confront and eliminate al Qaeda in Iraq,” why can’t we press them to do that now? Similarly, why can they not be pressed to persuade the Syrians to cooperate now?

]]> By: James Warner http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-252 James Warner Tue, 09 Jan 2007 04:39:45 +0000 http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-252 But the United States has a delicate balance of interests with Turkey and the Kurds. At the moment, we owe the Kurds a great deal, for theirs is the only part of Iraq that can be called (relatively) stable or prosperous. Their achievements are due to the autonomy they currently enjoy, and they may gain further autonomy as we seek to stabilize the rest of the country. Kurdish independence may become a fact on the ground long before the final status of the region is formally decided. But the United States has a delicate balance of interests with Turkey and the Kurds. At the moment, we owe the Kurds a great deal, for theirs is the only part of Iraq that can be called (relatively) stable or prosperous. Their achievements are due to the autonomy they currently enjoy, and they may gain further autonomy as we seek to stabilize the rest of the country. Kurdish independence may become a fact on the ground long before the final status of the region is formally decided.

]]> By: James Warner http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-251 James Warner Tue, 09 Jan 2007 03:56:39 +0000 http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-251 The Support Group should also bear in mind that these interests might be fundamentally incompatible. The Support Group should also bear in mind that these interests might be fundamentally incompatible.

]]> By: James Warner http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-250 James Warner Tue, 09 Jan 2007 03:50:36 +0000 http://www.futureofthebook.org/iraqreport/2-the-iraq-international-support-group/#comment-250 Will Egypt be able to reconcile supporting Sunni political participation while it is suppressing the Muslim Brotherhood at home? Will Egypt be able to reconcile supporting Sunni political participation while it is suppressing the Muslim Brotherhood at home?

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