IraqInContext

Platform for detailed analysis of Iraq's politics, economy, security and society after the liberation of Iraqi land from Daesh.

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

Some great insights from @UticaRisk and Bill Park from King's College London, delving into governorate level problems in Iraq and looking at how regional influence still affects federal power sharing arrangements https://t.co/FaTGMAbAUi

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

More often than not, this will require sensitivity to complex local dynamics. This is far from impossible, but represents a key test for Iraq to demonstrate sovereign control of territory.

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

A detailed guest post from @Mikeknightsiraq. There are many diverging views on the Popular Mobilization Forces, but it's hard to disagree with the main argument here: PM Abdul Mahdi's order to centralise control of security is necessary for stability https://t.co/H3rm2gIBF8

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

Our second interview with @JoelWing2 looking at the huge challenges ahead. With Iraq's new budget heavily orientated to operational spending, has Iraq gone back to the pre-2014 days of massive inefficiency? https://t.co/Vq5WKm9gKN

[Mike Fleet @MikeFleet23]

As usual, great article from @roberttollast . Bang on in the point that a government wide strategy that leverages both fed & prov abilities and initiatives is necessary to tackle the water & energy crisis in particular. Currently little coordination & an antagonistic relationship

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

With 10 GW of power currently planned+ major international companies pitching ambitious projects, in addition to rising oil prices, Iraq has the chance to completely change its approach to service delivery. But the window of opportunity could yet close https://t.co/Gi6uLzACZG

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

Here is part two of "Four Stubborn Facts that will Determine Iraq's Future. This time, we look at systemic problems affecting water and electricity and how Iraq has the resources to mitigate these problems, if reforms are implemented. https://t.co/Gi6uLzACZG

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

We are also publishing the first instalment of a two part piece, "Four Stubborn Facts that will Determine Iraq's Future." Part 1 looks at the mounting challenge of unemployment and efforts to fight corruption https://t.co/KjUguauOhD

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

This goes to the heart of the modern concept of public service, recalling Marcus Tullius Cicero's famous quote, "Let the good (or safety) of the people be the supreme (or highest) law,” but Majeed al Khatteeb here points to worrying absence of this notion https://t.co/mKV1c56i5p

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

#pt Majeed al Khatteeb highlights the crisis in Iraq's education system and how this will ultimately impact the crisis of public health, "We must ask why education spending still the lowest in the region at less than 4% when Iraq is expecting a budget surplus this year"

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

We are delighted to publish a speech by Majeed al Khatteeb, delivered at the Higher Education Conference for the Development of Iraq in London, on September 14th https://t.co/mKV1c56i5p

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

Lot's of great data here too that puts Iran's trade with Iraq in context. Many unknowns at this stage but the field is open for a new trading dynamic in the coming years, for better or worse https://t.co/g4KZSWwoht

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

This is important: while the sanctions have placed Baghdad in an extremely difficult position, there are other factors to consider such as Iraq's changing regional relations, restored trade with Jordan and nascent relations with GCC countries https://t.co/g4KZSWwoht

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

It's been a while but we're back with another great contribution from @AMTabaqchali this time looking at the impact of new Iran sanctions on Iraq in relation to Iraq's wider trading relationships https://t.co/g4KZSWwoht

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

"Privatization is the solution, bringing investors by easing application processes and ditching the months of paper work just to open a company. In addition to the new Iraqi foreign non-aggression policy, this could lead to greater influence in the region"https://t.co/tPnCz7IkDQ

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

First in a new series where Iraqis envision the path ahead for their country, "My Vision 2030: Looking Back to Move Ahead," Najaf-based Dean Mousavi describes what Iraq has overcome, what it is burdened with and suggests a possible model for development. https://t.co/tPnCz7IkDQ

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

New from Iraq in Context: Technocracy Redux? Sadr, the Communists and Oil by @roberttollast

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

Today we publish our second interview with @JoelWing2 focusing on the build up to the Iraq war + how people frame the debate in terms of measuring effects of both sanctions pre-2003+ civilian casualties post '03. We also look at some common misconceptions https://t.co/z6HdKm2nZv

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

Yesterday we published a wide ranging interview with @ZaabSethna, former spokesman of the Iraqi National Congress, discussing the debates on the Iraq war after 15 years, and how it is discussed in light of recent regional events: https://t.co/9ISosW98QQ

[IraqInContext @iraqincontext]

Tomorrow, we publish an interview with @JoelWing2 again looking at the buildup to war and the arguments both for regime change and against and how the war is framed by proponents and opponents