It is understandable that many Iraqis are reluctant about feeling optimistic towards the future of their country. Hope before 2003 was nonexistent and could be dangerous, while after 2003, people’s hopes mostly consisted of expectations that the fall of Saddam’s regime would mean the direction of the country would move only upwards. However, the country faced difficult challenges from occupation and terrorism to ethnic and sectarian unrest that caused painful disappointment and loss of hope.

While Iraq is no longer under U.S. occupation, some claim that the presence of the coalition forces in Iraq is…please continue reading the rest of this article on 1001 Iraqi Thoughts.