MbS: Pride Cometh Before the Fall?

by Shireen Hunter Until only a few months ago, Saudi Arabia’s conduct of its domestic and foreign policies was largely characterized by a good deal of caution, a lack of bombast, and a respect for established traditions. One area where… Continue Reading

Why Tehran Should Balance Its Relations with Baghdad and Irbil

by Shireen Hunter    When the issue of a referendum in Kurdistan on its eventual independence from Iraq emerged, Iran expressed its concerns about the disintegrative dynamics that this act could set in motion not just in Iraq but throughout… Continue Reading

Muqtada al-Sadr’s Saudi Visit and Iraq’s Shifting Shia Politics

by Shireen Hunter   Last week, the Iraqi Shia cleric and the leader of the Sadrist movement Muqtada al-Sadr paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia and met with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the power behind the throne. In… Continue Reading