The current demonstrations were likely and certainly warranted. In the sweltering heat of Basra and the lack of water and electricity, it should not be expected of Basrawis and the rest of southern Iraq to remain silent.

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Given that no democracy whether established or nascent is perfect, reform becomes a vital requirement for any democratic system. When it comes to Iraq however, much needs to be done considering that the last 15 years were not ideal for democracy to naturally mature. Continue reading →

On May 12, 2018 the Iraqi people went to cast their votes inside and outside the country. Although the election in terms of security was a success, much has happened that put the credibility of its results in question. Continue reading →

Iraqi expats play an important role in the future of the country. Sadly, they are accused of being apathetic of what is happening in Iraq, yet in the election seasons, they become subject to a campaign that discourages them from voting. The justification for boycotting the election is supposed to be a form of protest and a rejection of the current situation. Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →

On the 4th of April 2018 Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, headed to Japan. The visit lasted four days and Iraq received a big welcome. The main focus was economy and investment, so much, that some observers called it a minimized rebuilding conference, referring to the Iraq Rebuilding Conference event, taking place last February. Continue reading →

The question of good leadership is not only the concern of scholars and experts but of every voter who will have to make a decision based on this complicated question at the ballot box. Therefore, which politicians to choose to lead the country in the forthcoming years poses more or less a dilemma for people in democracies, especially nascent democracies like Iraq that face an abundance of challenges and difficulties. Continue reading →