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Saudi Arabia Forges New Relationship With Iraq at Iran’s Expense

By
Staff Writer
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Mohammed bin Salman (right) and Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Jeddah

Staff writer, SF

Recently, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made domestic changes, ramped up tensions with Iran, and criticized the Houthis in Yemen, as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

However, there had been a quieter Saudi campaign unfolding regarding Iraq’s Shia. It appears that Saudi Arabia is attempting to mend its historically antagonistic relations with Iraq’s Shia at Iran’s expense. With the goal of undermining Iranian dominance in the country, the Saudis seem to be taking advantage of fissures within the Iraqi elite.

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Iran’s Limited Attempt to Influence the Middle East

By
Staff Writer
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A picture taken on Nov. 20, 2017, shows Israeli Merkava Mark IV tanks taking part in a military exercise near the border with Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. JALAA MAREY/AFP/Getty Images

 Staff writer, SF

The initial fighting against the Islamic State in Iraq fell on the Iraqi army along with several Shiite militias. They fought a long battle to defeat IS. Iranian regime tried to exploit the situation and its advisers were embedded in the Iraqi army, and in direct control of the militias. The United States also had advisers and troops there, but Iranian regime had more influence with the predominantly Shiite army.

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What Are the Consequences of Hariri’s Resignation?

By
Atousa Pilger
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by Atousa Pilger

Saudi Arabia called an emergency meeting earlier this month so that Arab League officials could declare Hezbollah a “terrorist organization”. This came as the leader of Iran’s Quds Force – Qassem Soleimani – boasted about Iran’s victory in Syria. He was recorded crossing the Iraqi border into Bou Kamal in Syria, highlighting Iran’s increasing power in the region.

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Restrictions on Imports From Iran in Syria and Iraq

By
Atousa Pilger
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by Atousa Pilger

It has been reported that Syria put restrictions in place on all imports from Iran. The news was announced by the deputy head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) via a state news agency.

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Iran Engaging in Economic Warfare With Yemen?

By
Armin Baldwin
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by Armin Baldwin

Just over a week ago, the United States’ Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control identified several entities and individuals that have links to an operation being led by the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds force. The department that is in charge of enforcing sanctions has also designated the entities and individuals.The operation involved printing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Yemeni currency using equipment from Europe. No more details about the plot were given, but it is expected that policymakers will keep a close eye on what Iran is doing.

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Militias Backed by Iran in Iraq Threatening US

By
Azita Carlson
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by Azita Carlson

The Hashd al-Shaabi Shiite militia, the Arabic name for the Popular Mobilization Forces/Units (PMF/PMU) that is fighting in Iraq, has warned that US intervention is jeopardising the country’s unity.

The group is a proxy of Iran and one of its commanders commented earlier this week that the US forces that come to Iraq to back forces against the Islamic State group represent a threat to the nation.

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Saudi-Led Alliance to Counter Terrorism

By
Navid Felker
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by Navid  Felker

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia said at the weekend that his kingdom is working to ensure that extremist ideology and terrorism is wiped out.

His comments came as he convened the very first summit of the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Alliance. Officials from around 40 Muslim countries participated.

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Europe Receives Iran Threat

By
Staff Writer
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 Staff writer, SF

Iran is no stranger to sending threats to other nations. The latest recipient of a threat was Europe. Iran warned that it is making plans to increase the range of its ballistic missiles to an extent that they will be able to reach Europe.

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Iran Not Entitled to Interfere in Lebanon’s Internal Affairs Says Saad Hariri

By
Staff Writer
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 Staff writer, SF

This weekend Prime Minister Saad Hariri flew to Paris to meet with President Emmanuel Macron. In his first interview since he arrived there from Riyadh, Hariri hailed the powerful, young Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“The crown prince has a vision and only a few leaders possess a vision. Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a man of vision and he has capabilities and resolve and he is working to meet the challenges,” he said. “The Crown Prince and the other young generation in the Kingdom are giving hope to the future,” Hariri added.

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Arab League Takes Stand Against Iran’s Malign Influence

By
Navid Felker
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by Navid  Felker

Saudi Arabia has upped its campaign against the Iranian Regime’s growing malign influence in the Middle East by persuading most of the 22 Arab League states to condemn Iranian-ally Hezbollah, as a “terrorist organization”.

At Sunday’s emergency meeting, held in Cairo, the Arabian foreign ministers gathered to address the issue which was exacerbated following the launch of a ballistic missile from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen at the Riyadh international airport in the Saudi capital on November 4.

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