On the 20th anniversary...a conference in Qatar monitors the repercussions of the American invasion

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[size=52]On the 20th anniversary...a conference in Qatar monitors the repercussions of the American invasion of Iraq[/size]

[size=45]Although more than two decades have passed since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the repercussions of this invasion are still being felt and have a profound impact on the political, economic and social aspects of Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]In an attempt to monitor the results and implications of this invasion, Georgetown University in Qatar organized a conference entitled “The Invasion of Iraq: Regional Reflections” from September 14 to 16, to discuss the repercussions of the American invasion and present possible paths for the country’s future.[/size]
[size=45]The conference aims to discuss solutions and joint initiatives to confront the profound social, economic and environmental repercussions of the conflict at the local, regional and international levels.[/size]
[size=45]A large number of influential leaders in shaping public opinion in Iraq will participate in the conference, most notably former Iraqi President Barham Salih, in addition to international researchers and journalists, in addition to the participation of the ambassadors of the United States and Britain to the State of Qatar.[/size]
[size=45]War is not the ideal option.
In his speech before the opening session of the conference, former Iraqi President Barham Salih said, “It is certain that war is not the ideal option, and the same is true for many Iraqis who struggled tirelessly for decades to overthrow the dictatorial regime, but achieving this By seeking the help of external forces, it was definitely not a desirable or preferable option for them.”[/size]
[size=45]But Saleh considered that the war was an “opportunity” to liberate many Iraqis from dictatorship and from the long-standing nightmare of tyranny, and he saw that after the fall of the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Iraq had the opportunity to heal its wounds and form a new path based on coexistence and security.[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that despite the opportunity provided by the overthrow of the previous regime in Iraq to recover and build, expectations were not fully met, due to direct and indirect interventions by some countries in Iraqi affairs, and thus Iraq did not achieve expectations in the political transition process that followed the American invasion.[/size]
[size=45]He noted that Iraq still suffers from deep-rooted problems extending back to decades of political and governmental failure, explaining that these problems include political stagnation, constitutional disputes, ethnic and religious tensions, poor governance, and rampant corruption.[/size]
[size=45]Saleh pointed out that Iraq is still facing deep problems as a result of the dictatorship it experienced, in addition to the ethnic and sectarian tensions it witnessed that followed the invasion, stressing that his country needs radical reform and a new political, social and constitutional contract that is based on an objective review of the mistakes and experiences of the past and reformulates the relationship between the government and the people. It takes into account the lessons of the past twenty years.[/size]
[size=45]The former Iraqi president touched on the challenges facing his country, most notably climate change, as he pointed out that Iraq is one of 5 countries threatened by climate change, high temperatures, desertification, and land erosion, which will negatively affect the future of Iraqis.[/size]
[size=45]Relationship with neighboring countries
Saleh called for the necessity of restructuring the economy that relies mainly on oil revenues and diversifying sources of income, considering that the heavy reliance on oil as a main source of revenues is dangerous and unsustainable, as the further decline in demand for oil and the world’s shift towards clean energy will cause a decline in Gradual revenues for the Iraqi economy in the long term.[/size]
[size=45]The Iraqi President spoke about his country's relationship with neighboring countries, as he saw that Iraq no longer constitutes a threat to its neighbors, but rather seeks to integrate into the region and lead partnerships with various neighboring countries. At the same time, he welcomed the new path witnessed in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which are among the most prominent neighbors of Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]For his part, Dean of Georgetown University in Qatar, Safwan Al-Masry, commented on the difficult situation that Iraqi families and cities faced due to the invasion and occupation, saying, “During the past two decades, it is difficult to find an Iraqi city or family that has not been devastated by the invasion and occupation that followed.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Masry explained, in his speech at the opening session, that the conference will discuss the impact of the invasion on the Iraqis and the region in general, and will study its repercussions on global policy and American foreign policy towards the region. He also pointed to the change in attitudes in the region and outside it towards the United States after the invasion.[/size]
[size=45]In turn, the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan bloc in the Iraqi parliament, Alaa Talabani, confirms that despite 20 years having passed since the invasion, Iraq is still suffering from many failures, whether on the political or economic level.[/size]
[size=45]A new constitution
Talabani says, in a statement to Al Jazeera Net, that Iraq tried to rebuild after years of wars and then the American invasion and occupation, but this was accompanied by many problems and obstacles, noting that the most prominent of these obstacles is the great rise of armed groups such as “Al-Qaeda” and “ISIS.” The state” and others, and the efforts and expenditures required to confront them, in addition to the danger of “sectarianism” that affected the societal fabric of Iraqis and claimed the lives of thousands, and its effects still persist to this day.[/size]
[size=45]It also indicates that during the past two decades, Iraq has lacked a clear policy towards neighboring countries and the region, stressing that it is time to follow better policies and develop a clear strategic policy to deal with Iraq’s neighbors and countries in the region in light of the existence of a division among the Iraqi components regarding dealing with specific countries.[/size]
[size=45]Regarding the internal situation, Talabani believes that the constitution that has governed Iraq since 2005 must be reconsidered and that the time has come to review and amend it in line with the changes that society is witnessing.[/size]
[size=45]Regarding the relationship with the United States, two decades after the invasion of Iraq, the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan bloc in the Iraqi parliament says that the United States remained an occupying state in Iraq for years until Baghdad succeeded in expelling the American forces in 2011 and restoring its sovereignty, and the groups that exist now are only to provide support and advice. This was agreed upon, stressing that the relationship between the two countries is normal despite some interference by Washington in Iraqi affairs.[/size]
[size=45]Following the opening session of the conference, a discussion was held entitled “The Iraq War and Global Diplomacy,” in which the United States Ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, and the United Kingdom Ambassador to Doha, Jonathan Wilkes, participated.[/size]
[size=45]During the discussion, the ambassadors of the United States and Britain defended their countries' decision to invade Iraq, considering that the decision to go to war was in order to help the Iraqis get rid of tyranny.[/size]
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