Is Iraq Changing?
The legislative elections in Iraq held in October 2021 may have corrected, a little, some of the filths in the politics of the country. It has also created a new internal balance which would curb the political-sectarian forces.
However, if this correction takes place, it will not be able – despite its importance – to get the country out of the sectarian and doctrinal tunnel into which it was thrust since the invasion of Iraq.
The parliamentary blocs which won the elections in Iraq would be able to take decisions with their own will, independent of Iran. They do not coordinate with the policies of Iran’s allies in the country, neither adhere to the authority in Qom nor follow ‘wilayat al-faqih’. There is no doubt that this composition of the government and its allies will have different political options, at least in terms of protecting the independence of the choices in Iraq and would not succumb to the Iranian or American dictates.
However, a government with these specifications and preparations, despite its transitional importance, will not be able to stop foreign interference in the affairs of the country. It will not be able to stop Iran from daily interventions through its local allies, which confuse the authority and its apparatus, security and stability, due to the influence they enjoy even within the system. It will also not be able to stop the American economic, security and sovereignty pressure policies.
[by Abdelilah Belkeziz in Sky News Arabia]
Sincerity Required for Peace in Yemen
US President Jeo Biden in his last press conference has clearly said that he was considering reclassifying the Houthi “Ansar Allah” group as a terrorist group. But his most important message was in his statement that there are two parties to the war. This is an implicit recognition of the Houthi group as a main party in any possible settlement.
It is true that the classification as a terrorist group would not stop communication with it as happened in the case of the Taliban movement. But the difference here is that the US was willing to withdraw completely and leave the Afghans to decide their fate on their own. Taliban was able to control alone the majority of the geographical area of the country, while in the Yemeni situation there are difficulties which everyone knows.
The reclassification will not affect the course of things, and the fact is also that the Yemeni parties are not sowing seriousness now. The continuation of the exchange of bombing will not change anything and the citizens will be left alone in the region paying the price of this war.
It is the bitter concessions (from both sides) which will achieve peace and stability in the country. There is no other way. But the parties involved in the war are not yet convinced of this. The reclassification will not achieve any of the goals of those who demand it, except to talk about a diplomatic victory which does not help the region in general, nor the Yemeni people in particular.
[by Mustapha Noman in Independent Arabia]
Compiled and Translated by Faizul Haque