Do you expect an inevitable war between Syria and Iraq?
Given that Syria is now led by a Sunni Islamic movement following a long, destructive, and tragic revolution against a Shiite dictatorship, and that Iraq remains under the control of an extremist Shiite movement—especially with most Shiites concentrated in the south and most Sunnis in the north near the Syrian border—do you foresee a potential Syrian-Iraqi conflict as a continuation of the war between Syrian revolutionary factions and the Bashar al-Assad regime, which was supported by numerous Iraqi Shiite militias?
Could this conflict take the form of a direct war between Syria and Iraq, or at least manifest through support for a Sunni uprising in northern Iraq? This possibility is particularly relevant in light of the West, led by the United States, tightening its pressure on Iran, seeking to distance Iraq from Tehran, and preparing to implement harsh economic sanctions on both Syria and Iraq. Additionally, the West is demanding the dismantling of Shiite militias in Iraq—factors that could further fuel tensions in the region.
Moreover, such a war appears to serve the interests of multiple countries, including the West, Israel, Türkiye, and the Gulf states, all of whom may have strategic incentives to see it unfold. Given their shared opposition to Iranian influence in the region, these actors could play a role in facilitating or accelerating the conflict.
Given that Syria is now led by a Sunni Islamic movement following a long, destructive, and tragic revolution against a Shiite dictatorship, and that Iraq remains under the control of an extremist Shiite movement—especially with most Shiites concentrated in the south and most Sunnis in the north near the Syrian border—do you foresee a potential Syrian-Iraqi conflict as a continuation of the war between Syrian revolutionary factions and the Bashar al-Assad regime, which was supported by numerous Iraqi Shiite militias?
Could this conflict take the form of a direct war between Syria and Iraq, or at least manifest through support for a Sunni uprising in northern Iraq? This possibility is particularly relevant in light of the West, led by the United States, tightening its pressure on Iran, seeking to distance Iraq from Tehran, and preparing to implement harsh economic sanctions on both Syria and Iraq. Additionally, the West is demanding the dismantling of Shiite militias in Iraq—factors that could further fuel tensions in the region.
Moreover, such a war appears to serve the interests of multiple countries, including the West, Israel, Türkiye, and the Gulf states, all of whom may have strategic incentives to see it unfold. Given their shared opposition to Iranian influence in the region, these actors could play a role in facilitating or accelerating the conflict.