Pipelines Politics

Is Iraq’s foreign policy at the regional and international levels dictated by its position as an oil producer and exporter or is Iraq managing its resources in function of what its alliances and relationships allows it to do? Judging by the past, oil has mostly been a victim of the politics of the regime. This does not only apply to the last one, but goes back as far as the…

Saudi Arabia Seizes Iraqi Pipeline

15 June 2001 In a further sign of deteriorating relations with neighboring Iraq, Saudi Arabia has confiscated an Iraqi-built crude oil pipeline that runs across the Kingdom to the Red Sea port of Muajjiz. The $2 billion IPSA line has been closed for nearly 11 years. The move came two weeks after Saudi Arabia complained to the UN that Iraqi troops had been attacking Saudi border guards since March. Officials…

Iraq-Mideast Conundrum

22 June 2001 Pressure is mounting as UN Security Council members race to revamp the 11-year-old sanctions regime against Baghdad before their self-imposed Jul. 3 deadline. Pushed by its main regional ally, Saudi Arabia, the US is finding it increasingly difficult to win success on the Iraqi front without becoming actively involved in the Middle East conflict. At the same time, however, Riyadh is helping the US pile the pressure…