The recent reopening of the Iraqi border crossing of Arar with Saudi Arabia in a bid to enhance trade exchange between the two countries coincided with talks about the Saudi agricultural investment project in Iraq.
However, the border's reopening for the first time in 30 years Nov. 18 also coincided with political pressures from influential forces pushing against any openness in relations with Saudi Arabia. “Some are promoting the lie of Saudi colonialism,” Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said that day, describing this as “shameful.”