Iranian influence in Iraq after 2003, motives and repercussions

Abstract

Iraq has undergone radical changes since 2003, following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime, which made it an area of influence for many international powers like the United States of America, and regional powers like the Iran, the latter which wants to impose itself, given the new balances in the region, the decline of the Arab regional order and the emergence of Turkey as a regional competitor in the Middle East. This study explored the concept of political influence in general, and extrapolated its factors and motivations from Iran to Iraq, and its repercussions on the latter, in the internal conditions of the two countries and the regional and international environments which surround them. Iran has relied on political, religious, sectarian and military means, exploiting the large Shiite component in Iraq, supporting political elites loyal to it to achieve power in Iraq, in addition to establishing military militias who are affiliated with it as a parallel force to the armed Iraq. And haggle over the nuclear program with Western countries to ensure the continuity of their political presence in Iraq.

Keywords

• political influence; domination; middle east
• iraq; iran