Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Inside Story

A strategic partnership

Sami Zeidan takes a look at Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s landmark visit to Iraq.


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Jalal Talabani, Iraq’s president (L) and Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president (R) in Baghdad [EPA]

They are neighbours, and now there are indications that Iran and Iraq might be headed towards strategic partnerships.

During a recent visit to Baghdad, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president, signed agreements aimed at strengthening the two countries’ ties.

Iran has also offered Iraq $1bn in loans for projects to be handled by Iranian companies.
 
With this visit being the first to Iraq by an Iranian president, is the visit also the beginning of a new partnership between the two?
 
And is Iranian influence aimed at squeezing the US out of Iraq? Or is it filling vacuums the US cannot?
 
Inside Story, with presenter Sami Zeidan, looks at the changing relationship between Iran and Iraq and what it means for the two countries.
 

Watch part one of this episode of Inside Story on YouTube

Watch part two of this episode of Inside Story on YouTube

This episode of Inside Story aired on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 17:30 GMT
 


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