The compass of Iraq's foreign policy in a world of turbulent polarization

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[size=52]The compass of Iraq's foreign policy in a world of turbulent polarization[/size]

[size=45]Ambassador Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi,
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Planning Affairs[/size]
[size=45]Linguistically, polarity means the fixed axis that attracts things, and terminologically - as a phenomenon in the international system - it means the superpower that possesses the elements of comprehensive power or part of them, to attract countries to its political sphere and orbit, and this is what is known as international polarization. In international relations, polarity can refer to the presence of one pole, two poles, or multiple poles, trying to invest hard or soft power in the international situation or international system, and exercising its roles with various tools and means to attract and polarize countries through economic projects and initiatives, and military or strategic alliances. Or through superiority and control.[/size]
[size=45]During the twentieth century, the international system went through phased transformations of the types of polarity, as follows:
1. Multipolarity prior to the two world wars that occurred in the last century.
2. Bi-polarity: which emerged after the end of World War II in 1945, or what is known conventionally as the Cold War between the two superpowers (the eastern and western camps).
3. Unipolarity: It emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, as the United States of America was able to impose its presence and influence, as a single superpower with its military power and global economic, technological and industrial superiority, on the rising and major potential powers and adversaries (Russia and China).
The United States of America continued to occupy the hierarchy of the international system as the only power at that time, and the first decade of the twenty-first century was characterized by unipolarity, and with the harbingers of the second decade, profound developments and transformations occurred in the center of global power, as the Russian Federation began searching for its usual position, and the Chinese desire to rise emerged. Thus, competing with countries to occupy an important position, especially on the economic, industrial, and technological levels, and then imposing their presence in international politics with the aim of changing the multipolar international system, in addition to the efforts of other countries to occupy an important position in international interactions, such as India, Brazil, and South Africa, and this was reflected in the formation of BRICS, as an economic bloc, has its goals and ambitions far from the old system.
We can describe the current international system, in the midst of these transformations and transitions between unipolarity and the transitional phase to a multipolar system, while showing that the features and nature of the latter system are not clearly complete, but it can be described as a specialized or sectoral international polarity system, in terms of the existence of a unipolar system. It is militarily superior, and other international poles have their weight and economic, technological and military influence, such as China and Russia, which makes all of these poles adopt international polarization to achieve clear-cut multi-polarity to change the rules of the game, by adopting strategies and dynamics that move and are embodied in international projects, initiatives, blocs and alliances, and attracting the largest possible number. Many countries are similar to it from a military standpoint, as is the case with the United States of America and its relationship with NATO in Europe, its adoption of the New American Century Project, the AQOS alliances (Australia, Britain, and America), and the Quad (United States, Japan, Australia, and India) in Asia, and development projects in the world. The countries of the South, and what they proposed during the G7 meeting for the “Rebuilding a Better World” project, in which about 40 billion dollars were allocated. On the other hand, China also has its own projects and vision for the international system. In 2013, it proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, to which more than 152 countries joined. It is a comprehensive development initiative targeting distant regional regions. As for Russia, it also aspires to be one of the poles of the world, in terms of its vision of protecting... Its national security, in addition to presenting initiatives that would enhance the Russian role globally, for example but not limited to, by converting the debts of African countries into investments or development projects, in addition to expressing the desire to participate in the Iraqi development road project, and accordingly, the strategic competition between the poles Specialization is the prevailing pattern at the current stage, and the main concern of major and superpowers alike.
The current international system is a system whose engines are based on polarization between competing and conflicting countries, and accordingly the polarization has been reflected in the vital areas of the countries, within the geographical area to include more distant places regionally and internationally, and reaching regions in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, which has made them suffer from chronic crises and problems. Deep and intense conflicts, in order to reach the point of an international order based on clearly defined multipolarity.
The most important question that comes in this context is where is Iraq in this raging international polarization between the great powers?
Where will the compass of Iraq's foreign policy point in a world of turmoil and polarization?
The Constitution of the Republic of Iraq in force for the year 2005, and through a number of clear and explicit articles in it, is considered the basis and main driver of Iraqi foreign policy directions, as it stated the affirmation that “Iraq is part of the Islamic world and part of the Arab world,” and this is an important indication and foundation in Iraq's consistent trends in its foreign policy, to maintain communication with these two strategic depths.
Article (7) of the Constitution also stipulates the importance of “prohibiting racist, terrorist, takfiri, and sectarian entities,” and this is an indication that Iraq’s foreign policy is based on not adopting any policy or action that has racist or terrorist links, internally and externally, with an emphasis on “fighting terrorism in all its forms.” “The state works to protect its lands from being a headquarters, corridor, or arena for its activity toward other countries,” and this is what Iraq’s foreign policy has relied on for years after the ISIS terrorist gangs were defeated.
Article 8 is one of the basic principles of Iraq’s foreign policy, as it stipulates: “Iraq shall foster the principles of good neighbourliness.” We have concrete and clear policies that embody this principle by adopting partnership strategies with neighboring Arab and non-Arab countries. For example, the total number of The volume of trade exchanges with Turkey and Iran in 2023 will reach more than $27 billion, in addition to the significant volume of trade exchanges and joint development projects with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt.
Iraq's foreign policy is based on an important constitutional principle, which is "non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," and seeks to resolve disputes by peaceful means. This is embodied in Iraq's steadfast positions over the past years towards regional and international issues, problems and crises, the most important of which is Iraq's steadfast position on the issue. The Palestinian Authority and the necessity of achieving the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people and the establishment of its independent state with Holy Jerusalem as its capital, and his position on resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through resorting to peaceful solutions, dialogue and respect for the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, as well as his diplomatic role in bringing the views of Iran and Saudi Arabia closer together in Baghdad during the first rounds. Before the signing of the joint agreement between them in Beijing, and the rapprochement between Turkey and Iran with sister Egypt, and Iraq’s position on the Syrian issue and the importance of Syria’s return to its seat in the League of Arab States, and other regional and international issues and crises, as Iraq looks forward to calming down and establishing regional peace and security, and moving towards strengthening The role of development in mobilizing people and achieving common and mutual interests.
Through its foreign policy and diplomatic tools, Iraq maintains relations based on common interests with all countries of the world. Iraq has been an important part of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative since 2015, and it is a strategic partner with the United States of America through the Strategic Framework Agreement, and there are strategic partnership agreements with Germany and France. Russia, Britain and the Netherlands, and an Iraqi-Indian desire to expand economic partnership and technological cooperation, and the visit of the Spanish Prime Minister to Baghdad is the best evidence of the importance of strategic partnerships and mutual strategic awareness between the two sides, and we have a partnership and cooperation agreement with the European Union.
In the field of international and regional organizations, Iraq has an effective presence in the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization of Non-Aligned Countries and other organizations of a specialized and technical nature.
In summary, the Iraqi government is working to arrange its internal house papers and implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve sustainable development and rebuild and develop infrastructure, as the government program of Prime Minister Engineer Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani revolves around improving services for the Iraqi people in all fields.
Iraq, through its foreign policies and its adoption of diplomacy to resolve problems with neighboring countries, and provide a platform for dialogue, resolve crises, and end conflicts in the region, seeks to move away from the policy of axes, out of its belief in the importance of adopting balanced and rational policies that achieve its highest national interests and are in the interest of friendly peoples and countries, and it wants Building comprehensive strategic relationships and partnerships with emerging, emerging and major countries, whether the international system is unilateral, bilateral or multilateral.[/size]
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