Iraq's balancing act is only getting harder as the war between the US and Iran widens

Iraq's government finds itself in a delicate position as strikes launched by the United States and Saudi Arabia against Iran-allied fighters in Iraq intensify. The military actions are a direct result of a widening war between the U.S. and Iran, placing the Iraqi government under increasing geopolitical pressure as it attempts to navigate the conflict.

The widening confrontation between the U.S. and Iran has also created difficult diplomatic and economic challenges for other countries in the region. Egypt, for example, is attempting to stay on good terms with all parties involved while already facing negative economic impacts from the conflict, with new threats from the Houthi group in Yemen threatening to worsen the situation further.