Publication

This brief discusses Iraq's post-war relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Trying to reclaim the leading regional role that Iraq played during the Saddam Hussein era, the government has entered into talks with its neighboring countries to solve historical issues of contention. However, the author argues that this process of regional activism is very complicated as Iraq's relationship with GCC countries has historically been characterized by mistrust and animosity. Moreover, it is problematic that the GCC countries have not yet developed a strategy for collective or bilateral engagement with Iraq.