Agence France-Presse quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on Iran’s relationship with Iraq and what role Iran is likely to play in the ongoing crisis:

Ramzy Mardini, non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, believes there is no clear alternative, for now. “Iran can’t just wave it’s wand and make Maliki disappear. Maliki isn’t just one man, he embodies a regime and security apparatus. Iran needs Maliki, and Maliki needs Iran.”

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Despite the split over Syria, Gulf Arab states may also look to Tehran. “The Gulf states can no longer rely on the United States as they once had before to balance Iran, which creates the rationale to reposition their foreign policies from balancing to hedging,” says Mardini. “Their geopolitical realities are favoring improved relations with Iran, not worse.”

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