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Iraq Is on the Right Path in 2024

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani casts his vote in Baghdad during the provincial council elections. (Prime Minister's office)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani casts his vote in Baghdad during the provincial council elections. (Prime Minister's office)
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Iraq Is on the Right Path in 2024

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani casts his vote in Baghdad during the provincial council elections. (Prime Minister's office)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani casts his vote in Baghdad during the provincial council elections. (Prime Minister's office)

With hearts filled with hope, Iraqis pray that the new year will bring an end to Gaza's plight at a time when this enclave is witnessing a comprehensive war with a risk of a regional spillover.

We have not and will not abandon the Palestinian cause. We have mentioned on several occasions that the Palestinians should have their own state with Jerusalem as its capital. Since day one of the war in the Palestinian territories, we have stood alongside Gazans by providing humanitarian aid, diplomatic and political support.

This senseless war has posed significant challenges for the entire region and the danger of expanding the area of conflict still looms over. Efforts must be united in order to prevent the Zionist entity from exploiting international support to wage a comprehensive war that engulfs the whole region.

We, as Arab and Islamic countries, must work to mobilize a regional consensus to maintain stability and prosperity for the countries and peoples of the region by deepening partnerships and consolidating common interests.

In Iraq, from the first day of this government, we have adopted the approach of productive diplomacy and established the principle of a strong and capable Iraq in cultivating foreign relations with regional countries and the international community.

Iraq ought to regain its historical and natural leadership role in the region and the world, as this is our destiny. We must assume this role until the desired development that our people yearn for is achieved. We are making exceptional efforts on several levels to improve the security and living conditions of citizens, and Iraqis have already begun to have a sense of security and stability that they lost for many decades.

We incorporated the slogan “Iraq First” in the heart of our actions and thoughts, while making crucial and important decisions. The government is constitutionally the legitimate elected representative that is responsible for formulating state policy and defending Iraq’s interests, most important of which is protecting Iraq’s sovereignty. The state must have the upper hand in not allowing any party to undermine its status and capabilities of protecting diplomatic missions, facilities and public and private properties.

During the past year, we worked to achieve five priorities in the government program, which are addressing poverty, tackling unemployment, combating financial and administrative corruption, delivering services and economic reform. We quickly sought for the Iraqis to see the achievements at these levels so that they would know that their government is serious about improving their lives and solving their problems without delay.

We will stay the course and embark on work on the decades-delayed infrastructure projects and development and rehabilitation programs for the public servants. To put the development process back on track, the government increased the pace of implementation of existing projects, which are more than 7,000, not to mention the implementation of new projects that hold high development and service values.

The government has completed the implementation of dozens of strategic and development projects, most notably the Grand Al-Faw Port and Karbala Refinery, and we have laid the foundation stone for the railway project between Basra and Shalmaja, which will enhance connectivity with neighboring Iran.

We have set in mind to move forward with the strategic Development Road project, which will make Iraq a center for global trade between the east and west of the world. In addition, there are projects of integrated network of main roads overpasses and bridges to address traffic congestion and facilitate commutation and movement from the far south to the far north.

In the gas sector, we signed contracts for the fifth licensing round and a contract with the giant French company TotalEnergies to implement four huge oil, gas and renewable energy projects. We launched the sixth licensing round, and this is largely due to our government’s efforts to end the abhorrent practice of burning gas.

The path of development and entrepreneurship makes it imperative on us to bring about fundamental reforms by cutting bureaucracy, creating an advanced investment environment for Arab and foreign investors, and establishing the Iraq Development Fund, which aims to create an integrated investment environment. In order to complete the picture, we have drawn up a strong agenda to enhance the participation of the private sector in major projects.

We faced the corruption pandemic that has been spreading its venom in Iraq over the past decades, and we have come a long way in tracking down and recovering the stolen funds and the perpetrators of these crimes that are no less dangerous than terrorism.

We have taken many measures to control the unrealistic rise in the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar by diversifying foreign currency reserves to increase the volume of our international trade with friendly and brotherly countries.

We fulfilled our pledge to hold provincial council elections, which were held up since 2013, including the elections of Kirkuk province, which have not been held since 2005. This city is considered a miniature Iraq with its multiple components and the sensitivity of its internal political situation. This is considered a tour de force for this government as it safeguards an important constitutional pillar of the principle of decentralization.

We prepared all the security, financial and logistical requirements for the success of the elections. Indeed, on December 18, we witnessed a smooth voting process with the success of our security plan without imposing a curfew, blocking roads, or closing airports. Provincial councils are a cornerstone for any democratic decentralized system and an institution needed by local governments, which represent the second executive arm in the state after the ministries.

We also intend in the new year to conduct the first population census in Iraq for the first time since 1997, as we believe that building a strong database is the basis for accurate and successful government planning.

In the face of the great challenge of climate change, and confronting the drought that threatens Iraq, we have formulated a climate strategy that extends to 2030 and will include reducing gas emissions to minimize environmental damage and motivate farmers to use modern irrigation techniques and the use of renewable energies. Iraq had a remarkable and important presence at COP28 in Dubai.

Since swearing in, our mission has not been easy, as the challenges required from us, and remain to demand perseverance, endurance, determination, and above all, an undoubted belief in Iraq’s greatness and its deservingness to be a leading prosperous country in the Middle East and the world.

Iraqis are eagerly awaiting the chimes of bells of the new year, and with the same vigor and determination, we will continue the process of development, peace and entrepreneurship that we have begun. Iraq will always remain an impenetrable barrier to those who wish to disrupt this process. Happy new year to Iraqis, Gazans, Palestinians, the peoples of the Arab nation, and the world.

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Arab Gulf in 25 Years: Prosperity in a Region on Fire

Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 in 2016. (AP)
Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 in 2016. (AP)
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Arab Gulf in 25 Years: Prosperity in a Region on Fire

Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 in 2016. (AP)
Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 in 2016. (AP)

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Othaimin*

I like to refer to Henry Kissinger in summing up the reality experienced in the region over the past quarter century. In his book, “World Order: Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History”, the former US secretary of state said “the Middle East is caught in a confrontation akin to—but broader than—Europe’s pre-Westphalian wars of religion. Domestic and international conflicts reinforce each other. Political, sectarian, tribal, territorial, ideological, and traditional national-interest disputes merge.”

The wars, he added, were caused by the collapse of the state and their transformation into fertile ground for terrorism and weapons smuggling. The collapse will subsequently lead to the breakup of the regional and world orders.

The Arab region witnessed unprecedented developments in the past 25 years that have altered its features and impacted the structure of its regional order. The Arab Gulf countries were at the heart of these developments. Despite the regional and international threats, they managed to maintain their internal stability and consolidate their pivotal role in achieving regional balance, underscoring their position as the cornerstone of security and stability in the region.

The September 11, 2001, attacks changed the shape of the world. (Reuters file)

First wars of the 21st Century

The September 11, 2001, attacks marked the beginning of the first wars of the 21st Century that would go on to change global security equations. They would also lead to massive pressure on the region by the terrorist al-Qaeda organization. The developments were a real turning point in global counter-terrorism efforts.

Saudi Arabia and the Gulf were victims of a series of terrorist attacks in the past decades that targeted their security and stability. The worst of the attacks targeted a refinery in the city of Yanbu. It was carried out by Mustafa al-Ansari, an al-Qaeda member who had taken part in fighting in Afghanistan and Somalia. Another attack targeted Halliburton offices in the city of Khobar.

The Gulf countries responded to these challenges by taking firm counter-terrorism measures and launching efforts to dry their sources of funding. In 2002, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries approved a joint security strategy to combat terrorism.

In 2004, Gulf countries signed a counter-terrorism agreement during a meeting of interior ministers in Kuwait. The agreements established a legal framework for GCC efforts to bolster coordination between their members. In 2006, they set up a permanent security committee tasked with combating terror. The committee meets regularly to address terrorism-related issues and to bolster joint security cooperation.

The 2003 US invasion of Iraq was one the landmark moments in the war on terror. It forever changed the shape of the region, paving the way for a new chapter of unrest. The toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime led to security vacuum that gave way for sectarian divisions and increased Iran’s influence, creating instability in the region.

Even though the Gulf countries opposed the invasion and stressed the need to respect international laws, they found themselves having to confront its fallout. On the political level, they expressed their concern over Iran’s growing influences and intensified their efforts to back Iraq’s unity, stability, sovereignty and independence. They supported the political process that was led by the UN, including holding legislative elections and the ratification of a new constitution.

On the security level, the Gulf countries sought to bolster their defense capabilities, intensify intelligence cooperation and boost security partnerships with the US to counter Iran's influence.

A US soldier covers a Saddam Hussein statue with an American flag in Baghdad on April 5, 2003. (AFP)

Major collapses

The region was soon swept by the 2011 so-called “Arab Spring” protests. The Gulf was again put to the test of maintaining its internal security and stability amid the major collapses of regimes and rulers across the region, starting with Tunisia, then Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

These developments led to the collapse of political systems and the fragmentation of the countries’ social and political structures. Chaos reigned, leading to unrest and protests, which were fertile ground for the emergence of terrorist groups and foreign meddling that seek their interests at the expense of regional stability.

The Gulf countries feared that these changes would lead to the spread of so-called political Islamist ideology in the Arab world. They approached the “Arab Spring” from a deep strategic view and with total awareness of the challenges at hand. This allowed them to take calculated steps that preserved their internal stability and regional roles. The countries also worked on consolidating internal unity and listened to the demands of the people to ensure that stability is maintained.

On the regional level, the Gulf contained the impact of the crises through supporting allied countries that were affected by the unrest. They also intervened directly in some countries, such as Yemen and Bahrain, to preserve stability and avert the spread of chaos.

After more than a decade since the “Arab Spring” developments, their impact is still very much felt to this day in several countries in the region. Throughout, the Gulf countries managed to maintain their stability and present themselves as a regional force that can help in confronting chaos and unrest.

The crises in Gaza and Lebanon have topped the concerns of Gulf countries. (SPA)

COVID-19

No sooner had the region caught its breath after the unrest than it was confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The world was faced with an unprecedented threat that helped reshape health and economic priorities and left a lasting impact on various levels.

The Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, handled the crisis with extraordinary skill. From the very first moment the virus emerged, the Kingdom took firm measures and offered healthcare to everyone without exception. It provided free treatment, expanded its healthcare sector and rapidly launched vaccination campaigns that were commended by international organizations.

Despite the pandemic’s impact on the global economy and oil prices, the Gulf countries’ preemptive long-term plans and strategies, which called for easing reliance on oil, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, allowed them to weather the storm. The Gulf countries showed vigilant leadership and an exceptional ability to adapt during the pandemic, allowing them to protect their people and preserve their economic and social stability.

Prosperity amid regional tumult

The region is now confronted with a new wave of escalation, especially amid the war on Gaza and the possibility that the conflict may spread in the Middle East. It also has to contend with the fallout of the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.

Amid these changes, the Gulf countries have again proven their ability to adapt by presenting effective diplomatic initiatives and deepening international coordination with the aim of consolidating stability in the region.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the war on Gaza remain a top priority. The Gulf countries have repeatedly called for ending the conflict. They have backed international and regional efforts to reach a peaceful resolution based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and implementing the two-state solution.

In Lebanon, as tensions rise with Hezbollah, the Gulf countries have continued to support efforts that would bolster Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability through international coordination aimed at the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701.

The Gulf region is also preparing to deal with post-Assad Syria, hoping to help in the country’s reconstruction to establish it as a stable state that shuns Iranian meddling. The goal demands critical coordination with regional and international partners to ensure that stability is restored to Damascus and the entire region.

*Dr. Al-Othaimin is a researcher in foreign relations.