Tillerson's Mideast aim is a Saudi
Rex Tillerson
As U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visits the Middle East this weekend  he'll hope to achieve something that has eluded top American diplomats for a generation: sealing a new alliance between Saudi Arabia and Iraq that would shut the doors of the Arab world to neighboring Iran.
The effort to wean Iraq from Iran and bond it to Saudi Arabia isn't new  but U.S. officials are optimistically pointing to a surer footing they believe they've seen in recent months. They're hoping to push the improved relations into a more advanced phase Sunday when  Tillerson  participates in the inaugural meeting of the Saudi Arabia-Iraq Coordination Committee in Riyadh.
 Tillerson  will seek Saudi financial generosity and political support for Iraq  its embattled northern neighbor. Two U.S. officials said  Tillerson  hopes the oil-rich Saudis will contribute to the massive reconstruction projects needed to restore pre-IS life in Iraqi cities such as Mosul and lend their backing to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. He is treading delicately among a host of powerful countries on Iraq's borders which are increasingly trying to shape the future of the ethnically and religiously divided nation.
 Tillerson 's decision to skip that gathering was widely criticized at the time as a sign of disengagement with his employees  but the official said  Tillerson  adjusted plans to speak by secure telephone to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on the Iraq rapprochement.
As [TGT] visits the Middle East this weekend  [TGT]'ll hope to achieve something that has eluded top American diplomats for a generation: sealing a new alliance between Saudi Arabia and Iraq that would shut the doors of the Arab world to neighboring Iran.
The effort to wean Iraq from Iran and bond it to Saudi Arabia isn't new  but U.S. officials are optimistically pointing to a surer footing they believe they've seen in recent months. They're hoping to push the improved relations into a more advanced phase Sunday when  [TGT]participates in the inaugural meeting of the Saudi Arabia-Iraq Coordination Committee in Riyadh.
 [TGT]will seek Saudi financial generosity and political support for Iraq  its embattled northern neighbor. Two U.S. officials said  [TGT]hopes the oil-rich Saudis will contribute to the massive reconstruction projects needed to restore pre-IS life in Iraqi cities such as Mosul and lend their backing to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. He is treading delicately among a host of powerful countries on Iraq's borders which are increasingly trying to shape the future of the ethnically and religiously divided nation.
 [TGT] 's decision to skip that gathering was widely criticized at the time as a sign of disengagement with [TGT] employees  but the official said  [TGT]adjusted plans to speak by secure telephone to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on the Iraq rapprochement.