The truth is that people are sometimes provoked but it is important to be calm and realistic in order to analyze the situation. The attack by Iraqi Vice President Nuri Al-Maliki on Saudi Arabia contradicts all norms of diplomatic behavior — even between disputing countries. Both Saudis and other Arabs denounced the attack, with some even suggesting that Al-Maliki be taken to court. From a logical standpoint, it is clear that Al-Maliki’s motives are sectarian.
He claims that the Saudi government is incapable of controlling the Wahhabi Takfiri current. It seems that he has forgotten that the largest number of terrorist attacks in Iraqi history happened during his term in office as prime minister. Not only did he fail to limit the attacks, the numbers actually increased because of his sectarian policy which produced nothing but terror.
Often politicians fall when they consistently direct the blame at somebody else. They think they are resourceful in jumping from one position to another. This is stupidity. The memory span of people in the region might not be the best. However, the communication revolution and the ability to document happenings have made it impossible for liars not to be found out.
Iraq lived with near-total chaos during Al-Maliki’s term in office. In fact, there was a daily count of 15-20 fatalities from terrorist attacks during his second presidential term. When the prime minister, supposedly the representative of balance and justice in a country, is biased, then catastrophic results are to be expected.
Thus, when important Iraqi cities fell, it was not the Iraqi Army’s fault. The fault was the prime minister's destruction of the country’s internal structure due to his encouragement of sectarianism among Iraqis. Al-Maliki seems to be looking for fame and a way back into political control but he carries bad baggage with him. Not least among that baggage is paving the way for Daesh through his sectarian policies. Instead of owning up to his mistakes, he is busy blaming others.
This time it was Saudi Arabia that he targeted, forgetting all diplomatic courtesies by asking that a “guardianship” be imposed on the Kingdom. This term is in fact used only for failed states. Al-Maliki seems to have conveniently overlooked whether Saudi Arabia or Iraq is closer to being a failed state.
This was not Al-Maliki’s first attack on the Kingdom and will likely not be the last. He has lost by failing to leave a margin for future changes and variables and for mixing politics and personal views. The Iraqi presidency is expected to occupy a stronger position, based on fact rather than on personal opinion and preferences. The situation becomes even more serious because Al-Maliki holds a high position in government.
Perhaps, the most vivid memory of Al-Maliki is his leaving the premiership after handing half the country to Daesh and the other half to Iranian militias.
Saudi Arabia has in fact been affected by terrorism but in response, it has fought realistically, exposing terrorist cells and also foiling planned terrorist attacks. This is a genuine confrontation rather than a diversion by escaping, covering up and holding other countries accountable. The Kingdom initiated the security fence between itself and Iraq in order to prevent terrorists’ infiltration from both sides.
In other words, Saudi Arabia, like other countries exposed to the possibility of terrorist attacks, continues to fight against them on both the actual and intellectual level. There is a debate within the Kingdom about the best ways to fight terrorism ideologically. The confrontation and debate protects the state from slipping into the abyss of terrorism. It would have been wise of Al-Maliki to follow this policy while in office in order to bring Iraqis together than to divide them. This of course is only the tip of the iceberg.
Iraq with its history, civilization and dignity needs leaders who love their country and belong to it. One of the main reasons for the failure of Iraq as a state are politicians who think of their own interests and agendas at the expense of the interests of their country and people. Iraq deserves better leaders because it has paid a high price and the time has come for change. The fall of Iraq would be a piercing stab in the side of the Arab nation.
