Regional players influences on the Iraq-Kuwait relations post-Saddam era (2003-2011)

This study examines the divergence of the political and economic interests of the key regional players in the Gulf region, i.e., the United States of America (US), Iran, and the member states of the Gulf cooperation council (GCC) States. The study also analyses how those three main key players influence the development of Iraq-Kuwait relations in the post-Saddam era from 2003 until 201 1. Therefore, the general aim of this study is to discuss why, how and what type of roles the three regional players have played in influencing the convergence and divergence of Iraq-Kuwait relations
in the post-Saddam era. To achieve the aims of this study, a qualitative approach was adopted. This study's framework of analysis is carried out by adopting the Game Theory. This study employed both face-to-face and telephone interview techniques
as the primary sources of data collections. The interviewees were divided into three main groups. The first group of interviewees included lecturers from the Political Science Faculty at the University of Baghdad and Kuwait University, whereas the second group of interviewees was diplomats from Iraq, Kuwait and Iran. The last
group of interviewees was professional researchers from the GCC States and the Middle East. The other primary sources of data collections derived from the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, official statement and publications of the GCC, and archival documents. As for the secondary data, the sources came from theses, books, journal articles and online and printed newspapers reports. The
findings of the study reveal that Iraq-Kuwait relations were affected significantly by the divergent interests of the three regional players (the US, Iran and the GCC). Those interests were reflected by a desire of each party to achieve the greatest political and economic gains. As a result, improving relations between Iraq and Kuwait in the post-Saddam era has been in a snail pace. The two countries have to double their diplomatic efforts in re-strengthening their relations given some
difficulties in solving some bilateral and outstanding political and economic issues.