Transformations in Iraqi foreign policy towards Saudi Arabia: From cautious distancing to strategic partnership (2003-2025))

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of Iraqi foreign policy towards Saudi Arabia from 2003 to 2025, a period marked by profound transformations in Iraq's internal and regional environment. The study begins with the post-2003 era, during which Iraqi foreign policy towards Saudi Arabia was characterized by caution and distance due to internal divisions, a lack of security and stability, and the rise of competing regional influence within Iraq. Successive Iraqi governments between 2003 and 2014 were unable to establish stable relations with Saudi Arabia due to complex security and political circumstances, resulting in a lack of effective diplomatic communication between the two countries. While the second phase, from 2014 to 2025, witnessed a fundamental shift, as both sides recognized that the deteriorating regional conditions, particularly the threats of terrorism and the decline in oil prices, necessitated cooperation rather than tension, the astute foreign policy decision-making process and Saudi Arabia's willingness led to the reopening of the Saudi embassy in Baghdad. The Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council was also established, and extensive economic cooperation projects were initiated, encompassing energy, investment, and agriculture. This was accompanied by significant progress in security cooperation, especially in intelligence and counterterrorism. Furthermore, cultural and religious dimensions contributed to strengthening the rapprochement through facilitating Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and promoting moderate religious discourse. The study concluded that the rapprochement between Iraq and Saudi Arabia was not merely a political move, but rather an objective response to a complex regional environment and a shared desire to achieve stability and development. The study's findings emphasize that the future of Iraqi foreign policy towards Saudi Arabia depends on the continuity of economic cooperation, the deepening of security partnerships, and the development of mechanisms for political dialogue that serve the interests of both countries.