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Iraq in a Nutshell
80 pages
$7.95


On January 16, 2007 eight Arab countries issued a joint communiqué opposing terrorism supporting US goals in Iraq. The Sunni Arab countries seek to improve the lot of Iraq's Sunni minority and limit Iran's involvement in the region.

Nations in the Alliance

Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Why are they collaborating?

  • Concern over the rising influence of Iran

  • Concern over the growing power of the Islamic militant organizations Hezbollah and Hamas and Syria's support of these groups.

  • The destruction of Iraq by sectarian conflict and the threat that sectarian conflict will spread to neighboring countries.

  • Fear that Shi'ites in Sunni-led countries will rise up.

  • Fear of Iran's increased influence among Shi'ites in the region.

Relations with America

Most of the countries in the alliance are not happy with Bush's handling of the Iraq war and his calls for democracy in the Middle East.  There is also fear that the increasingly belligerent rhetoric between the US and Iran may lead to military conflict.

Many Arabs blame the US presence in Iraq for the increasing Shi'ite influence in the region.

What does the US want

  • The United States would like to see the Arab countries provide political and economic backing for Iraq.

  • The US wants Sunni governments to apply their influence to curb Sunni Iraqis who aiding and participating in the insurgency.

  • If Iran reduces the flow of oil in retaliation, the US would like other oil producers in the region to make up the shortfall.

Arab Concerns

Arab leaders are concerned that they may incite anger among their own constituencies if they form too close an alliance with the Bush administration.

The Arab leaders are also hesitant to rely too heavily on the US President as he approaches the end of his term and in light of Bush's diminished power after the election of a Democratic Congress.

To compensate, they may give more support to Sunni extremists to offset the Shi'ite ascendancy (Saudi Arabia reportedly already funds extremists in Lebanon to offset Hezbollah) or reconsider relations with Iran.  

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