Analysis: Can Iraq transform itself from regional battleground to diplomatic broker?
WASHINGTON: After months of a regional war that has left Iraq once again caught between Iran, the Gulf and the US, Baghdad is attempting an ambitious diplomatic pivot — hosting talks it hopes will transform the country from a battleground into a broker.
The proposal, announced by Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, would bring together Iraq, Iran, and the six GCC states to discuss regional security and economic partnerships.
Tehran has welcomed the initiative, presenting it as part of a new Gulf security framework led by regional states rather than distant foreign powers. For Baghdad, the proposal offers a chance to present Iraq as more than an arena for regional rivalries.
But analysts say Iraq’s ability to play that role will depend not only on its willingness to host talks, but also on whether it can convince the Gulf states it can control armed groups operating within its territory.
