Analysis : Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the Gulf War in 1991 provided the foundation of many changes ::: Mystery about -- “The Iranian people have called on me"

2026 ::: One camp of Maga world figures has thrown its weight behind Maryam Rajavi, the Paris-based leader of the Mujahedin-e Khalq, or MEK, 

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the Gulf War in 1991 provided the foundation of many changes.

First there started an era of cooperation between the US and Qatar. 

Some countries like the UAE embraced the new world order of the supremacy of might and money. Saudi Arabia continued with is influential religious and cultural baggage. But following the latest US-Israel conflict with Iran; carefully choreographed image of stability is being blown away. 

From Qatar perspective there was another important feature.  In 2011, Qatar gave upon itself a new role. Earlier it believed in mediation between conflicting interests of the west and the Arab world. But in 2011 it started exerting soft power by using influential media tool, Al Jazeera. It covered the Arab Spring unrest extensively and handled smartly issues related to support for 'regime change', financial and military aid and the so-called media propaganda.  

The use of Al-Jazeera, originally set up in 1996, was a clear expression of Qatar's role in regional politics. 

As a US battle group steamed to the Gulf in November 2002, competing Iraqi exiles, some championed by American insiders, jockeyed for position in the hopes of taking charge once George W Bush toppled Saddam Hussein. Bloomberg dubbed them “Iraq’s unruly opposition”.

The most notorious Iraqi exile, failed former banker Ahmad Chalabi, boasted to his neoconservative allies that his return to Baghdad would be welcomed by cheering throngs. Among his competition was a former doctor named Ayad Allawi, who was backed by Britain’s MI6 and the Central Intelligence Agency in his bid for support to rule Iraq.

Now it is Iranian rather than Iraqi exile factions who are tugging at the sleeves of American officials, jostling for the White House blessing to lead a future government of Iran following Donald Trump’s massive military operation. 

Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s former personal attorney, and one-time CIA director Mike Pompeo are among Rajavi’s most vocal supporters. Soon after US strikes began, Giuliani insisted that the MEK was poised to replace the regime. “They have a shadow government ready to go.”

Rajavi tried to stake a claim fast, announcing a “provisional government” the day the US bombing started.

Seven days later another figure, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, stepped in to contend that he will be in charge. “The Iranian people have called on me,” he said in a social media video.  

Both Pahlavi and Rajavi tout their political credentials and promises of grassroots support, but neither leader has the ties to Washington, or its security establishment, that the 2002 Iraqi candidates once enjoyed.

points to take  note :

Qatar's patronage of Hamas posed a problem for the United States as the Palestinian faction had been declared a terrorist organisation. 

Qatar's ability to balance these relationships was put to test when Israel directed its military operations against Hamas in December 2008. 

The gas-rich Gulf state used its financial prowess to assert influence by pledging US$250 million for a Gaza reconstruction fund.

In October 2012, the Emir of Qatar became the first head of state to visit Gaza after the formation of the Hamas government. He called for reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, and pledged an additional US$400 million aid for Gaza.

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