Four experts on the Iraq war and its repercussions now: Democracy has shrunk and parties exclude cit

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[size=52]Four experts on the Iraq war and its repercussions now: Democracy has shrunk and parties exclude citizens[/size]

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[size=45]The “Arab Center in Washington” institute surveyed the opinions of 4 experts specialized in Iraqi affairs, about the situation in Iraq with regard to nation-building, democracy, corruption, the role of the Arab world, Iranian influence, and the role of the United States in shaping the current scene.[/size]
[size=45]“Freedoms are shrinking.”[/size]
[size=45]Patricia Karam (a researcher at the Arab Center) said in the survey that two decades after the American invasion, Iraq was classified as not enjoying freedom, according to a study by “Freedom House” on political rights and civil liberties worldwide, adding that while the American intervention succeeded in Dictatorship overthrown But corruption and sectarianism have since permeated Iraqi politics, she said, adding that violence, including extrajudicial killings, is increasing as freedoms are curtailed and dissent is suppressed.[/size]
[size=45]Karam considered that political participation has become synonymous with self-enrichment in Iraq, adding that the state's financial resources, mostly from oil revenues, have encouraged even armed parties backed by Iran to become part of the state, adding that Iran has emerged as the most influential external player in Iraq since The overthrow of Saddam Hussein.[/size]
[size=45]Karam continued, "Without a real shift in the political system and a confrontation with Iran's role in Iraq, Iraq's wealth will remain vulnerable to appropriation by the kleptocratic elite and its sponsors, and future generations will be deceived regarding their chances of a decent life."[/size]
[size=45]Parties exclude citizens[/size]
[size=45]in turn; Rand Al-Rahim (former Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations)[/size]
[size=45]The establishment of an ethno-sectarian state after the 2003 invasion created long and deep divisions within Iraqi society, making it impossible to think of applying a “whole nation” approach on the basis of comprehensive democracy.[/size]
[size=45]Rahim added; Political groups continue to play with the coin of a competitive narrative around victimhood and rights, noting that this deliberate division of society in order to achieve narrow political gains has undermined any prospect of building a unified nation characterized by equal citizenship and justice for all.[/size]
[size=45]She pointed out that the national identity, which was torn apart by the oppression of the former Baathist regime, weakened further in light of people resorting to clan, sect, or regional affiliation.[/size]
[size=45]And after Al-Rahim reminded that the 2019 demonstrations were a bright moment, but short, and that the demonstrators were chanting “We want a homeland,” she said that the problems that undermined the state-building project in Iraq since 2003 are still unresolved after 20 years.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Rahim summarized the scene by saying that Iraq is still a group of “components” and is not a coherent society with common values ​​and goals, and it still lacks a national narrative that can strengthen identity and healthy interdependence. It also considered that power-sharing corrupts democracy because it benefits only a small group of political parties while excluding the majority of citizens.[/size]
[size=45]And she continued by saying that "most Iraqis have lost confidence in a system that only works to perpetuate itself."[/size]
[size=45]“The occupation served Iran and Turkey”[/size]
[size=45]on his part; Abd al-Wahhab al-Qassab (researcher at the Arab Center) criticized the Arab countries for aiding the American invasion financially or politically, because this came at the expense of the entire Arab world, as he said, as Iraq was the eastern gateway to the Arab world, resisting Iran and preventing its interference in Arab affairs. He added that Kuwait, which was invaded by Saddam, may regret its decision to assist in the invasion because Iran now poses a strategic threat to it, a threat that is becoming more serious.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Qassab believed that the country that the invasion helped to establish and the many governments that came to Baghdad have worked since that time to distance Iraq from its traditional and historical relations with the Arab world.[/size]
[size=45]He added that the invasion facilitated Iran's expansionist project and hegemony in the region, as well as Turkey's intervention in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]Despite this, al-Qassab indicated that there is hope for Iraq to open up to the Arab world through practical cooperation with neighboring countries on issues such as electricity generation and oil exports. He added that such efforts currently include cooperation between Iraq, Jordan and Egypt, and may soon be joined by Lebanon, Syria and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Qassab concluded by saying that regardless of the impact of the American invasion 20 years ago, Iraq can and must restore its position within the Arab fold, and at that time it will find the peace, security and economic well-being it deserves.[/size]
[size=45]Foolishness and the Paper Tiger[/size]
[size=45]on his part; Imad Harb (Director of Research at the Arab Center) described the US invasion of Iraq as "catastrophic folly," noting that Saddam Hussein's regime showed that it was a "paper tiger."[/size]
[size=45]He considered the director of research at the Arab Center; The overthrow of the Baathist regime did not in any way secure the national interests of the United States in the region.[/size]
[size=45]Harb explained that after 20 years, it is possible to confirm at least three results from the George Bush administration's war on Iraq:[/size]
[size=45]First, the United States has failed miserably to establish a democratic, liberal, and secular system of government in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]Secondly, whatever influence the United States has in Iraq today, it is conditional on the acceptance of the pro-Iranian political forces and militias for an American role in the country, as the US forces that are still stationed in Iraq are subject to attacks by pro-Iranian militias that sometimes work to send Iranian messages, especially When pressure on Washington is considered important to achieve Iranian goals.[/size]
[size=45]Third, the catastrophe of the invasion of Iraq, along with the invasion of Afghanistan before it, seriously and negatively affected the strategic hegemony of the United States in the Middle East and around the world, as it is also interesting that none of the neoconservatives who paid for the war on Iraq paid any price for being Part of the conspiracy that led to one of the most catastrophic strategic mistakes of the 21st century.[/size]
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