Iraqi tribes and the "neighbors"

[Rex Brynen]

A colleague of mine is involved in a research project on the role of Iraqi tribes, with a particular focus on the role (or not) of neighboring countries. Among the issues of interest are:

• To what extent do neighboring states seek to influence Iraqi politics through particular connections to the tribes?
• How is such influence exerted, and to what ends?
• How effective is this, and how has influence changed over time?
• Some tribal leaders relocated to Jordan (etc) for reasons of safety after 2003... how did this affect their influence?

Does anyone on SWC have any thoughts of this—especially if you have boots-on-the-ground experience with tribal engagement? He is especially interested in Jordan (and western Iraq), but information on the role of Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia would doubtless would be welcomed.

Also, "as far as I know the neighbors were largely irrelevant in my AOR" is just as important as any other response, so if that was your experience please say so!