--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Allowing an independent and sovereign…" description: "\"Allowing an independent and sovereign Iraq could be a nightmare for the United States. It would mean that it would be Shi'ite-dominated, at least if it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/noam-chomsky-42_allowing_allowing-an-independent-and-sovereign-ir_2920504.jpg" --- # Allowing an independent and sovereign Iraq could be a… ![“Allowing an independent and sovereign Iraq could be a nightmare for the United States. It would mean that it would be Shi'ite-dominated, at least if it's minimally democratic. It would continue to improve relations with Iran, just what the United States doesn't want to see. And beyond that, right…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/noam-chomsky-42_allowing_allowing-an-independent-and-sovereign-ir_2920504.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/noam-chomsky-42_allowing_allowing-an-independent-and-sovereign-ir_2920504.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/noam-chomsky-42_allowing_allowing-an-independent-and-sovereign-ir_2920504.jpg) > “Allowing an independent and sovereign Iraq could be a nightmare for the United States. It would mean that it would be Shi'ite-dominated, at least if it's minimally democratic. It would continue to improve relations with Iran, just what the United States doesn't want to see. And beyond that, right across the border in Saudi Arabia where most of Saudi oil is, there happens to be a large Shi'ite population, probably a majority.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A sovereign Shi'ite‑majority Iraq could shift regional power toward Iran, unsettling U.S. interests. **In simple terms:** Independent Iraq may empower Iran, challenging U.S. strategy. Key Takeaway Consider diplomatic approaches that balance regional stability. Themes geopolitics regional power U.S. policy Mood analytical concerned Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy planning - diplomatic negotiations - regional alliances Key Concepts balance of power sectarian dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What alternative frameworks could ensure stability? - How can minority rights be protected without empowering adversaries? A Different Perspective Complexities of sectarian politics may not align with simple narratives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arabia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arabia/) [Borders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borders/) [Iran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iran/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Nightmare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nightmare/) [Saudis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saudis/) [Sovereign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereign/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) ## Related quotes > [Now, you ban not the whole Muslim world. You ban seven states, seven states that have not been responsible for a single terrorist act.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/now-you-ban-not-the-whole-muslim-world-you-ban-seven-states-seven/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Take a look at the Supreme Court decision that just authorized an effort by U.S. claimants against Iran for terrorist acts. What are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/take-a-look-at-the-supreme-court-decision-that-just-authorized-an/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Moves toward sovereignty in Iraq stimulate pressures first for human rights among the bitterly repressed Shi'ite population but also toward some degree of autonomy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/moves-toward-sovereignty-in-iraq-stimulate-pressures-first-for-human/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The United States can't dictate outcomes to a sovereign Iraq. But it can support, incentivize and mobilize those willing to move Iraq in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-blinken/the-united-states-can-t-dictate-outcomes-to-a-sovereign-iraq-but-it/) [Antony Blinken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-blinken/) > [We can pursue peaceful diplomacy with the Iranian regime while also continuing our maximum economic pressure campaign, while also defending ourselves... To say that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-ortagus/we-can-pursue-peaceful-diplomacy-with-the-iranian-regime-while-also/) [Morgan Ortagus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-ortagus/) > [Two days ahead of schedule, the world witnessed the arrival of a free and sovereign Iraq.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/two-days-ahead-of-schedule-the-world-witnessed-the-arrival-of-a-free/) [Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/) > [Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims there are no homosexuals in Iran, just like there are no gay conservatives in the US.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/iranian-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-claims-there-are-no-homosexuals/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [ What is common among all of these groups \[Taliban, Islamic State etc.\] is the intent to destroy. The majority of terrorists who come to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/what-is-common-among-all-of-these-groups-taliban-islamic-state-etc-is/) [Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/) > [Sadly, a U.S. invasion of Iraq 'would threaten the whole stability of the Middle East' - or so Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/sadly-a-u-s-invasion-of-iraq-would-threaten-the-whole-stability-of/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [There is always the risk that a conflagration in the Middle East becomes larger and more dangerous. 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All you have to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-re-defending-saudi-arabia-and-with-all-of-the-money-they-have-we/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Hillary Clinton has decided to line up with John McCain in pushing to suspend the federal excise tax on gasoline, 18.4 cents a gallon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/hillary-clinton-has-decided-to-line-up-with-john-mccain-in-pushing-to/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [In Saudi Arabia, among other countries, Muslims are not free to convert to Christianity, and Christians are not free to practice their faith. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-warraq/in-saudi-arabia-among-other-countries-muslims-are-not-free-to-convert/) [Ibn Warraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-warraq/) > [You know, in Saudi Arabia, you're innocent until proven Jewish. Female. Guilty! They're guilty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/you-know-in-saudi-arabia-you-re-innocent-until-proven-jewish-female/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) ## More by Noam Chomsky > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It’s a shameful moment for U.S. media when it insists on being subservient to the grotesque propaganda agencies of a violent, aggressive state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/it-s-a-shameful-moment-for-u-s-media-when-it-insists-on-being/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are questions as to whether it should even exist. 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Just because I say it doesn't make it true. So check it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-first-thing-you-ought-to-do-is-verify-what-i-present-just-because/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ I wrote an article about the marine landing \[in Haiti\] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-landing-in-haiti-right-away-but/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [American society is now remarkably atomized. Political organizations have collapsed. In fact, it seems like even bowling leagues are collapsing. The left has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/american-society-is-now-remarkably-atomized-political-organizations/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things. Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/discovery-is-the-ability-to-be-puzzled-by-simple-things-noam-chomsky/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. 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