Which country is described as influencing Iraq by firing ballistic missiles at Kurdish groups and backing militias?

Which country is described as influencing Iraq by firing ballistic missiles at Kurdish groups and backing militias?

• A. Turkey
• B. Iran
• C. Saudi Arabia
• D. United States

Answer: (B)

This question looks at how a regional power uses direct action and proxy forces to shape events inside Iraq. The country described has a history of striking Kurdish insurgent groups across the border in Iraqi Kurdistan with ballistic missiles and also backing Iraqi militias to influence security and politics inside the country. Iran fits this description. It has launched ballistic missiles at Kurdish groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan as part of deterring Kurdish separatist activity and asserting influence near its western border. At the same time, Tehran has actively supported Iraqi Shia militias—often organized under the Popular Mobilization Forces—providing funding, training, and weapons toShape security in Iraq and to counter rivals, extending its sway over Iraqi political and security dynamics. Other countries don’t match both parts of the scenario. Turkey conducts cross-border operations against Kurdish groups but relies more on airstrikes and ground incursions rather than ballistic missiles, and its influence in Iraq comes from security operations and political leverage rather than the same militia-backed model. Saudi Arabia and the United States interact with Iraq in different ways and do not routinely deploy ballistic missiles against Kurdish groups or back powerful Iraqi militias in the same integrated fashion.

This question looks at how a regional power uses direct action and proxy forces to shape events inside Iraq. The country described has a history of striking Kurdish insurgent groups across the border in Iraqi Kurdistan with ballistic missiles and also backing Iraqi militias to influence security and politics inside the country.

Iran fits this description. It has launched ballistic missiles at Kurdish groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan as part of deterring Kurdish separatist activity and asserting influence near its western border. At the same time, Tehran has actively supported Iraqi Shia militias—often organized under the Popular Mobilization Forces—providing funding, training, and weapons toShape security in Iraq and to counter rivals, extending its sway over Iraqi political and security dynamics.

Other countries don’t match both parts of the scenario. Turkey conducts cross-border operations against Kurdish groups but relies more on airstrikes and ground incursions rather than ballistic missiles, and its influence in Iraq comes from security operations and political leverage rather than the same militia-backed model. Saudi Arabia and the United States interact with Iraq in different ways and do not routinely deploy ballistic missiles against Kurdish groups or back powerful Iraqi militias in the same integrated fashion.