Is Iran losing Its Grip on Iraq?

Taking out Iran's greatest regional rival was a real big brain 5D chess move by Bush.

Persia wants to control Mesopotamia. AHH some things never change ...

As an Iranian, I am in favour to see an Iranian government that pays attention to the constant economic crisis at home, but duh, the current Islamic Republic wants to continue funding proxies to suppress dissidents and for global wars.

As an Iraqi, we are doomed.

"Now, we all know the reason why America got involved in Iraq . But in case you've been living under a rock —" No idea if that rhyme was intentional lol.

Oh I've seen this one before, it's a classic!

Iraq is well-positioned to be a buffer between Iranian, Gulf States, and (future?) Turkish influences. I hope they're able to continue stabilizing and strengthen their political independence.

This video mentioned the Iraq/American talks. But failed to mention the Iraqi president ended it with a demand for all Americans to leave the country months ago. America has been dragging their feet on withdrawal and failed to meet the deadline set. That’s kinda big to leave out

Before 2003 Iraq was closed off to Iran with 98% certainty, Iraqi security was still strong and militarily could still hold its own. When US announced it was going to remove the Iraqi regime people in Iran couldn't believe it, too good to be true. First thing Iran did was send in operatives and by late 2003 was rearranging the sectarian (shia to sunni) demographics of Baghdad by enabling and smuggling in weapons, cash, and supplies as well as inflitrate Iraqi shia militias that Iran had been grooming for over two decades at that point. In this endeavaour Iran also aimed at eliminating former air force pilots of the Iraqi air force and succeded in killing over a 100 retired. To say the Americans in actuality fought for Iran is an understatement. Interestingly there is still a strain of Iraqi arab nationalism (Baathism) in Iraq and is a bit on the resurgence but these are being fought at any opportunity by the Iraqi shia militias loyal to Iran. There is also a growing liberal democratic stream, these too are opposed by the aforementioned.

I think people forget that racial conflict, which tends to be neglected when talking about Middle East, has to be emphasised here. Iran is a Persian nation using an Indo-European language but forced to write in an Arabic script; whereas Iraq is a clear Arab-speaking nations with minorities like Kurds, Armenians, Turks and Assyrians. Arabs have a long history of anti-Iranian sentiment and Islamic unity appeals little for them.

atleast its nice too hear iraq is trying to push back some of irans influence

Well I'll be damned. I was looking forward to a tldr video to drink my coffee with, and i clicked on this one 4 seconds after it was posted. Hello everyone!

"Neither the Iraqi Government, nor its population wants to be part in the US-Iranian confrontation" Too bad thats not how global conflict works

America always looks best when it's at a distance but not too far...

What's going on with the thumbnail? Looks like you guys labeled Iraq as Iran

Much of the media want to ignore the Islamic State got started by many "former" Iraqi Baathists. I sense they could return if Iran and even America are unable to resolve Iraq's stability issues (or even Russia).

I really appreciate this format, you guys do a great job reporting :)

Short answer: No Long answer:Nooooooo

We don't want either sides.

Another factor that has played a role in the divergencies between Iran and Iraq has been the Iraqis' memories of the Iran-Iraq war, which resulted in huge casualties on both sides. Religion also plays a role. The Shi'a Muslim majority of Iraq has little in common with the Shi'a majority of Iran, belonging to different schools of thought. Iraqi Shi'a generally don't want ayatollahs (especially Iranian ones) governing them.