Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait: post-2003 Challenges and Opportunities for the Iraqi Federal Architecture

The paper aims to examine the complex triangular relations between Baghdad, Kuwait City and Riyadh focusing on the obstacles still hindering their rapprochement and the positions of the Saudi and Kuwaiti leaderships towards the new Iraq. In this framework, after an historical introduction, the analysis will describe the effects Operation Iraqi Freedom had at the regional level, underlining in particular the challenges (and opportunities) it presented to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The paper will then examine the debate related to Iraqi federalism and the formation of new autonomous regions, focusing in particular on its internal and external implications, especially concerning Saudi and Kuwaiti interests.