Behind Iraq's concern at Gideon Sa'ar's UNSC letter - analysis

Overshadowed by the ceasefire declaration in Lebanon, a series of somewhat absurd events related to Iraq over the last week offer clues as to the underlying dynamics of Israel’s regional confrontation with Iran and its allies. These events, their comic aspect aside, cast light on both the strengths and the sharp limitations of the Iran-led regional project. 

On November 18, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sent a letter to the president of the UN Security Council, in which he called for immediate action regarding the activities of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, whose territory is being used to attack Israel. Sa’ar warned that Israel has the right to defend itself under the UN Charter, and called on the government of Iraq to “prevent the use of its territory as a base for attacks against other nations.”

The letter led to a sudden outbreak of concern in Iraq at the possibility of an imminent Israeli raid. The Iraqi government, via its Foreign Ministry, sent a response to Sa’ar’s letter, to the UNSC, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.  (Read More)