It is interesting to witness the ongoing dynamic within the Iraqi government, government institutions (military among others - which usually is the bastion of nationalism - even if infiltrated), intellectuals and wider public.
1) To remain a de facto protectorate of a failed, sanctioned and now attacked entity (Iran) and continue not to prosper, be at the mercy of a foreign entity who does not have your own interests at heart but that of their own, two parallel realities and institutions (loyalty to Iraq and loyalty to Iran), remain facing widespread corruption and a bankrupt (by large) religious clergy/militias and in general lack of development
or
2) Follow your own NATIONAL interests (Iraqi ones), gain full control of all your state institutions as well as religious one under the banner of loyalty to Iraq first and foremost, loyalty to the Hawza of Najaf and not Qom, to do what most Iraqis are instinctively inclined towards in terms of fostering and restoring a real and trustworthy close connection to neighboring Arab countries and the wider Arab world - which would also make the most sense long-term, strategically, economically and in every other sense, in general have more prospects of developing as a state etc.
It is very telling that the current Iraqi regime/government, even if headed by a Shia Arab himself and many loyalists to a certain foreign regime, still grows increasingly closer to KSA and other Arab states. Even weeks after RSAF bombing the PMF cultists and killing almost 100 of them.
Saudi defense minister discusses military cooperation with Iraqi official
Updated 13 August 2026 20:09
ARAB NEWS
August 13, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed military and defense cooperation with director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, First Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, on Thursday.
The two officials reviewed Saudi-Iraqi relations in the military and defense fields and discussed regional developments, Prince Khalid said in a post on X.
They also affirmed the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation between the two countries in ways that serve their common interests and support regional security and stability.
“Iraq will remain a dear neighbor to us, bound to its brotherly government and people by ties of brotherhood, solidarity, and mutual support,” Prince Khalid said.
“The Kingdom will always stand with Iraq to support its security and stability, and its development and prosperity, for the benefit of Iraq and its brotherly people,” he added.
Another just as "interesting" question is, what will the pro-Iran loyalists in Iraq due the second the Iranian regime collapses or makes serious reforms (focusing on internal affairs in Iran before anything else for instance)? Who will be their patrons and how do they plan to survive in their current form? Will they be able to plunder Iraq as they have been doing for 15 + years by now? If not 20?
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