Posted on 06/28/2021 8:53:26 AM PDT by elpadre
Egypt, Jordan and Iraq agreed to bolster security and economic cooperation at a tripartite summit Sunday that saw an Egyptian head of state visit Iraq for the first time in three decades.
The visits by Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II came as Iraq seeks to move closer to Arab allies of the United States in the Middle East.
Iraq is also seeking to establish itself as a mediator between Arab countries and Iran, after reportedly hosting talks in April between Tehran and Riyadh.
Sisi and Abdullah met Iraqi President Barham Saleh and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, with Saleh saying the encounter was "an eloquent message amid enormous regional challenges".
"Iraq's recovery paves the way to an integrated system for our region built on the fight against extremism, respect for sovereignty and economic partnership," Saleh said on Twitter.
The summit held between Kadhemi and his guests broached regional issues, as well as ways of bolstering cooperation between Iraq, Jordan and Egypt in the fields of security, energy and trade, according to a joint statement released at the end of the meeting.
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
Egypt,Jordan and Saudi Arabia could be the nucleus of a NATO-like regional defense in the moderate ME countries. From what all Trump was doing, I believe he was moving in that direction so that would be a counter to the ME bullies - Iran and Turkey.
Sure, but the problem with the Middle East is our friends are only slightly better than our enemies.
The only difference is the Saudi’s are smart enough to keep quiet about how much they hate us.
bump
“...only difference is the Saudi’s are smart enough to keep quiet...”
The Saudi’s do have that hate US crowd, but also have those who know without US support they are in trouble.
I think al Sisi is the strongest leader of the this Muslim block. He locked up the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood and has stood by the Coptic Christians, actually having the Egyptian army rebuild Coptic churches and attending their Christmas masses to re-assure them. He has honored the treaties between Egypt and Israel. He is a good leader. (maybe that is why Obama hates him so much)
First positive development in the ME since The Steal.
Conclusion: The Trump led isolation of Iran continues as Iraq seeks closer ties to those that can provide a measure of defense as well as an increased bilateral source of trade
“Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia could be the nucleus of a NATO-like regional defense”
They are the pro-American bloc, within the Arab Powers (all Sunni-led). That could help Iraq from sliding into effective Iranian control, like Lebanon. Iraq (geographically) could open or close the Iranian supply lines to any operations against the Saudis or Israelis.
Egypt and Turkey maintain the biggest Sunni Militaries in the region, but Turkey is out on its own under Erdogan. So Egypt beings its Armored Divisions to the table, for a serious coalition.
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