Overview

In recent years, the geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran has dominated the headlines. Many have charted the polarisation between a Saudi-led Sunni camp and an Iranian-led Shia one, assuming that a predominantly Shia state like Iraq would automatically ally with Iran. In this compelling account, Katherine Harvey tells a different story: Iraq's current alignment with Iran was not a foregone conclusion. Rather, Saudi efforts to undermine Iran have paradoxically empowered it. Harvey investigates why the Saudis refused to engage with Iraq's post-2003 Shia-led government, despite continual outreach by Iraq's new leaders and considerable pressure from the United States. She finds that certain deeply ingrained assumptions predisposed Saudi leaders to see a Shia-led Iraq as naturally beholden to Iran: the view that Iran is inherently expansionist, and the belief that Arab Shia tend to be loyal to it. This outlook was simplistic, even downright inaccurate; and, in refusing to engage, the Saudis created a self-fulfilling prophecy. As Harvey demonstrates, members of Iraq's new government initially sought to establish a positive relationship with Saudi Arabia, and to pursue a course independent from Iran. But, isolated and rejected by Saudi King Abdullah, Iraq ultimately had nowhere else to turn.

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9781787385665

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Reviews

'A major contribution to the literature regarding Saudi Arabia's relations with Iraq in the period following the 2003 U.S. invasion. Deploying multiple tools of social science, Harvey meticulously explores the mindset of Saudi King Abdullah toward Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.' -- Robert W. Jordan, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia 'An interesting, original and historically grounded study, throwing light on key actors in the Gulf's balance of power. This important book has clear relevance for understanding recent developments in these fraught relationships.' -- Charles Tripp, Professor Emeritus of Politics, SOAS University of London, and author of 'A History of Iraq' 'An outstanding contribution to our understanding of Iraqi and Saudi foreign policy following the 2003 U.S. invasion. Harvey's extensive research, including interviews with senior figures on all sides, is exceptionally valuable. Her arguments are original and compelling.' -- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University 'A timely, persuasive and original text that fills a much-needed gap--on Saudi-Iraqi relations, the role of Iraq in the Saudi-Iranian rivalry, and the Kingdom's involvement in Iraq's domestic politics since 2003. This promises to be an important book.' -- Simon Mabon, Professor of International Politics, Lancaster University, and author of 'Houses Built on Sand: Violence, Sectarianism and Revolution in the Middle East'

Author Information

Katherine Harvey is an independent scholar based in Washington, DC. She holds a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies from King's College London. Previously, she was an intelligence officer in the US Navy, with tours in the Middle East, Europe and at sea. She has also worked in political risk consulting.

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