Al-Maliki and Ahmadinejad
An Unlikely Partnership between Iran and Iraq
Al-Maliki's decision to visit Ahmadinejad in the wake of government withdrawals suggests there was more to his visit than the official line of 'security discussions'.
Following recent visits to Tehran, the relationship between Iraq’s premier, Nouri Al-Maliki and Iran’s premiere, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has come under close scrutiny, amid the thunderstorm of innuendo, allegation and counter allegation between Washington, Tehran and Baghdad.
Al-Maliki’s decision to visit Ahmadinejad just a few days after the withdrawal of the Sunni lead Accordance Front from his coalition government, suggests that there may have been more to his visit than the official line of ‘security discussions’.
His journey to Tehran on 8th August 2007 was reminiscent of a child running to her parents for help when in trouble or of a close friend that journeys to seek help and guidance in times of peril. Whichever way you choose to look at this dynamic, one thing is certain; Tehran’s relationship with Baghdad seems to be improving. This relationship can be viewed as unlikely because it proceeds a difficult past between the two nations that led to a protracted war in 1980.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Perhaps the most likely explanation for improved relations lies in Iran and Iraq’s affinity to Shia Islam, which provides a common ground for collaboration. Ahmadinejad and Al-Maliki can be described as ‘two sides of the same coin’ because of this affinity, although their respective practice of this culture is underlined by a difference in approach.
Tehran’s leadership follows a strict adherence to the majority held Ithna-'Ashariyya perception of Shia Islam; they regard the precedence of eleven leaders called imams, whom are set to be followed by the second return of a twelfth imam named Mahdi. Adherents of this form of Shia Islam are commonly referred to as ‘Twelver’s’. This can be contrasted with the more secular approach of Nouri Al-Maliki.
Positive Outcomes
The return of the Sunni led National Dialogue Front (the last group to return to the government following previous withdrawals) on Saturday 8 September 2007, shows the positive impact of advice received during Al-Maliki’s visit to Tehran. The success of Ahmadinejad and Al-Maliki’s growing relationship, forged on affinity, trust and mutual respect, carries good prospects for a peaceful and prosperous Iraq; a relationship that could have more prodigious effects on the socio-economic landscape of Iraq than the combined efforts of the UN.
The future of Iraq remains precarious and every step towards a sustainable stability will require careful planning and diligent attention. Al-Maliki and Ahmadinejad must be encouraged to build on this cultural diplomacy in order to enable Iraq’s renaissance.
Congress Reports on Iraq
September 2007 is set to become a defining month as the situation in Iraq undergoes a series of US led appraisals, these include:
- The Iraq weekly Report: provides updates in eight key areas identified as pillars of U.S. Government policy.
- United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report: relays testimony by David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, before the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations, on securing, stabilizing, and rebuilding Iraq.
- U.S Congress Report on political and security progress in Iraq: relays the testimony of General David Petraeus, the commander of US forces in Iraq, and Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador to Iraq, at a joint hearing of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
- Independent Commission Report: relays the testimony of Gen. James Jones, a former U.S. commander before Congress, on Iraq's police forces.
Read more: Iraq: 1991 and 2003 Invasions
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Source: USA Government Federal Information Service
