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SEPTEMBER 15, 2018
| BEIRUT, BAGHDAD AWAITING WASHINGTON, TEHRAN
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Formation of governments in Lebanon and Iraq have been stalled for a couple of months. While internal obstacles are proclaimed, it seems that Beirut and Baghdad have become box
offices for messages between other competing countries.
It was commonly known that coherent relations between various parties in Baghdad were kept in harmony through back channel contacts between the Iranian envoy in Iraq, General Soleimani,
and the U.S. military envoy, General Brett McGurk.
Recent tensions in that back channel "tango" delayed the internal regiment. An update on a discrete contact led to an indication that Prime Minister designate Abadi will be replaced
by another candidate who has tacit support of both powers. Whether it works or not, remains to be seen.
In Beirut, Prime Minister designate Hariri, seems to be taking his time until further arrangement is agreed, which includes an additional role by Saudi Arabia. It may take some time
and a lot of patience.
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