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The Battle for Iraq Is a Saudi War on Iran
(Foreign Policy) Simon Henderson - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has for years regarded Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as little more than an Iranian stooge. He has no doubt realized that - with his policy of delivering a strategic setback to Iran by orchestrating the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus showing little sign of any imminent success - events in Iraq offer a new opportunity. When the revolt against Bashar al-Assad grew in 2011 - and Riyadh's concern at Iran's nuclear program mounted - Saudi intelligence started supporting the Sunni opposition, particularly its more radical elements. The writer is director of the Gulf and Energy Policy Program at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.