[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
by [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.][ltr][You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
For half a century before its 2003 regime change, Iraq experienced escalating levels of authoritarianism that increased with the passing of time and the change of successive governments. A Coup d’état was the only possible method of regime change. What began as a benevolent dictatorship in 1958 soon turned into an increasingly oppressive sectarian rule between 1963 and 1979, and this latter transformed into an absolute tyranny under Saddam Hussein’s family rule that even a coup d’état became impossible. It took a coalition of nations, led by the United States of America, to impose a regime change by military means.
The framers of Iraq’s new constitutional system were heavily influenced by the country’s past experience with authoritarianism and acted out of fear more than hope: they invested all their genius in closing all possible loopholes that might lead to the emergence of a dictator in the future. In so doing, they ended up creating an anemic executive institution whose chief, the Prime Minister, lacks most of the powers that allow him to govern.
Nationally, Iraq is a federal state without a clear definition of its federalism. Each part of Iraq interprets, and practices, federalism in any fashion it can get away with. The northern region, ruled independently by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) was acknowledged by the new constitution as an autonomous region with the same privileges that existed before 2003, and it acquired more measures of autonomy in the past years. By contrast, other regions are living under a de facto centralized arrangement where Baghdad decides every aspect of their local governance. The definition of federalism in the Kurdish north, defined as a virtual independence from Baghdad, fades to levels of non-existence in the southern province, Basra, whose local governance is decided by the central government and the local politicians who are subservient to large political parties and leaders from Baghdad.
In this confused environment, national politics and the outcome of governance are decided by a simple method, corrupt political deals made under the influence of duress and blackmail.
The KRG, armed with a very effective lobbying effort and an international sympathy for the suffering of Kurds under the murderous Ba’thist regime, has managed to convince the world that the situation in Iraq has not changed after 2003. The constitutional arrangement they secured, thanks to international meddling and incompetent negotiators on the other side, allows them a great room to maneuver. The Kurdish leadership also use the issue of independence as a highly effective blackmail tool in their continued negotiation with Baghdad. In their entire post-2003 political participation, the Kurds showed no evidence of concern about anything happening in the rest of Iraq. If anything, the cascade of security and political crises in the country were viewed by the Kurds as political opportunities to advance their position as a virtually independent state whose only relation with Baghdad is the 17% of the annual national budget they claim as their share. They support their position by applying pressure on the rest of Iraq from their own region and augment that with influencing the national government’s decision by their representatives in the Iraqi Cabinet and Parliament who take part in the national decision making.
The Sunni Arabs are another political entity who also use blackmail as a favorite political method. But theirs is a more lethal form of blackmail. Their political talking point is that the only alternative to a satisfactory Sunni empowerment, however unreasonably they decide that, is terrorism throughout their region. Since losing power in Iraq, which they held almost exclusively since the creation of the modern state, The Sunni Arabs, backed and encouraged by the regional Arab states, categorically rejected a regime change that granted them their fair share as a minority in the country. Since 2003, a Sunni politician in Iraq would support the government as long as he is in a high position, but the moment he is replaced by a political process or losing an election, he would go back home, gather his armed tribesmen and declare war on the government under the banner of Sunni marginalization. Except for a few Sunni leaders, who chose terrorism from the start, all the so-called Sunni opposition leaders who fought the government have been through the revolving doors of Iraqi politics. In the past, their pernicious practice was less devastating as they allowed a manageable level of terrorism inflow into their regions and they remained in charge of the local control, but their cynical behavior became self-destructive in 2014, when they allowed their regions to fall in the hands of the worst fathomable terrorist organization, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Da’ish).
Once firmly in control of the Sunni Arab territories, Da’ish abolished the status of all local Sunni tribal Shaykhs and notables and forced them to pay allegiance to its own terrorist leaders, many of whom are foreign. The only local Sunni leaders who retained their voice were those who managed to flee to Arbil (hosted by the KRG) or to neighboring Arab countries, leaving their population divided as internally displaced people living in subhuman conditions or captives in the Da’ish-controlled territories, while their provinces were turned into a war zone. Instead of displaying any remorse for their devastating hubris, Sunni Arab leaders are still blaming everyone but themselves for what their immature political conduct brought on their community. They also still stick to their tired method of blackmail: telling Baghdad to choose their way or endless terrorism.
The Shia of Iraq are yet another contributor to the Iraqi crisis. Since 2003, the sectarian nature of Iraqi politics ascribed an exclusive clique of corrupt politicians and political parties to represent the Shia, none of whom can be accused of possessing any trace of statesmanship. They succumbed to their corruption, creed, criminality, and complete lack of any sense of responsibility and destroyed a centuries-long legacy of rightful Shia claim to assume a leading role in governing the country as a democratic majority. Post-2003 Shia leaders have been so incompetent, they had no idea how to become successful democrats, and when they tried to act as dictators they also failed.
The Shia community in Iraq, having taken the blame for the failure and corruption of their leaders, of which they are the primary victims, finally decided to act. In the past months, major Shia cities have been the theater of mass protests, and most recently, angry Shia protesters sacked the Green Zone twice, occupying the Parliament and the Council of Ministers buildings, as politicians fled through secret exits. In the red zone, the rest of Iraq, headquarters of major political parties became a fashionable target of protesters. What is appalling in the behavior of Shia political leadership is that they stand in total denial and refuse to acknowledge their destructive role in the continued crisis. Instead, they accuse their Shia constituents of being Ba’thists, outlaws, and hooligans.
(*)Dr. Abbas Kadhim is an Iraqi-American academic specializes in Iraq, Iran, Persian Gulf, and Islam. He is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute, SAIS- Johns Hopkins University and the President of the Institute of Shia Studies in Washington, D.C. He earned a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006. He is the author of Reclaiming Iraq: the 1920 Revolution and the Founding of the Modern State, Univ. of Texas Press, 2012; and “The Hawza under Siege: A Study in the Ba’th Party Archives“, Boston Univ., 2013.
Source: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Yesterday at 4:13 pm by Rocky
» MM&C 9/29/24 What after the closure of the currency auction at the Central Bank of Iraq?
Yesterday at 11:48 am by Rocky
» MM&C 9/29/24 "THE EXPECTED PATH OF THE IRAQI ECONOMY"
Yesterday at 7:14 am by Rocky
» utube 9/28/24 MM&C IQD Update News -Iraq PM - $83 Billion 3 Years - Stability - Global Contracts -
Yesterday at 7:12 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 9/26/24 Iraq Dinar News-Iraq Plans Redenomination of Currency-Value of it Related-Elect
Yesterday at 7:11 am by Rocky
» Advisor to the Prime Minister rules out a decline in gold prices in the coming period..and explains
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» Legal expert: If it weren't for the Security Council's collusion, the Zionist entity would have been
Yesterday at 6:59 am by Rocky
» Minister of Planning announces field progress in preparations for the census
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Proposal before the government to form an economic and security crisis cell
Yesterday at 6:56 am by Rocky
» Al-Karawi: The government's ignoring of the resistance's request is a betrayal of the blood of the m
Yesterday at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the fourth largest importer from Türkiye during the past month
Yesterday at 6:53 am by Rocky
» The Prime Minister directs that Lebanese citizens wishing to come to Iraq be granted fast travel doc
Yesterday at 6:50 am by Rocky
» US releases founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance
Yesterday at 6:48 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank of Iraq issues a warning to exchange companies regarding the sale of dollars
Yesterday at 6:46 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank of Iraq sells more than $ 258 million in today's auction
Yesterday at 6:45 am by Rocky
» Launching of aid and scholarship salaries this week
Yesterday at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Karbala begins implementing 154 projects
Yesterday at 6:42 am by Rocky
» Next Tuesday.. Closing of the application for the central admission form
Yesterday at 6:40 am by Rocky
» Service effort: Including the capital and 4 governorates in next year’s plans
Yesterday at 6:39 am by Rocky
» Rafidain Bank issues instructions for granting real estate loans
Yesterday at 5:25 am by Rocky
» The expected path of the Iraqi economy
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Experts: Population census shapes economic policies and directs investments
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Central Bank records more than $1 billion in currency sales in a week
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank of Iraq warns exchange companies that sell dollars to travelers from receiving a co
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Iraq under the microscope.. Will Baghdad succeed in avoiding regional conflict after the assassinati
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani makes a phone call to the Lebanese Prime Minister
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» How will developments in Lebanon affect the Iraqi economy and the oil market?
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» The position of the Speaker of Parliament and developments in the region on the table of Masoud Barz
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Targeting of an American base in Syria by Iraqi factions
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Official: Border shelling targeted Iraqi faction, reports of casualties
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» How much is Iraq's external debt in light of the fluctuation in oil prices?
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Iraq is not far from war.. Will the factions enter into a confrontation with Israel?
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Outcomes of the Coordination Framework Meeting in the Presence of Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani renews to Mikati Iraq's firm position in supporting Lebanon and standing with it
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports to US rise in a week
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» 5 governorates on the 2025 service effort plan
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rates in Iraqi stock exchanges today
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Drug Law Amendments: No Life Sentences Anymore... Trade and Agriculture Will Be Faced with "Death Pe
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» A long-awaited historic position... When will the coalition forces leave Iraq?
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Warnings of an imminent economic danger... and the alternative solution is taxes!
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Dilapidated buildings and shortages... Iraq needs new schools!
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the second Gulf country to award contracts worth more than $2 billion
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 10:23 am by Rocky
» Intensive US movements on the Iraqi-Syrian border.. Where is the situation heading? - Urgent
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 10:20 am by Rocky
» Iraqi Minister of Water Resources speaks to Al Jazeera Net about solutions to the water crisis
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 10:15 am by Rocky
» Iraqi Foreign Ministry: Expanding the scope of war in the region leads to serious consequences
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:16 am by Rocky
» /Information/ reveals the location of the Rafidain Bank robbers in Ramadi
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani Office for /Al-Maalouma/: Foreign workers threaten graduates
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:14 am by Rocky
» Foreign Minister invites his Venezuelan counterpart to visit Baghdad
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:12 am by Rocky
» "Government" real estate loans with amounts up to 150 million dinars.. Conditions and details
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:10 am by Rocky
» Setting a date to launch 102 investment opportunities in Iraq
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:07 am by Rocky
» Bitcoin Set to Post Best September Ever on Rate Cut
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» What is the truth about the existence of a naval embargo imposed on Iraq?
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» More than $70 million in Iraqi imports of Indian tea
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:03 am by Rocky
» Oil price decline: Impact hits new groups in Iraq
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:02 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance to NINA: The decline in global oil prices will not affect employees’ salaries
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim: Investing in tourism as one of the sources of financial revenues for the state
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:59 am by Rocky
» From Najaf Al-Ashraf.. The Minister of Labor announces the completion of the procedures for issuing
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance to NINA: The decline in global oil prices will not affect employees’ salaries
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:56 am by Rocky
» 19,000 dinars difference from the official price.. The dollar falls slightly in Baghdad
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:52 am by Rocky
» Al-Asadi: We call on citizens to invest in the retirement and social security law
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:51 am by Rocky
» “Worth $4 billion”: Iran exports engineering services to Iraq
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:48 am by Rocky
» US, Iraq agree to end 'alliance' in September 2025
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:46 am by Rocky
» New tax will push house prices up, Iraq's real estate market into recession
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:45 am by Rocky
» It is black and includes Iraq.. Netanyahu waves the “curse map” before the United Nations
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:43 am by Rocky
» “The wiretapping scandal” complicates the political scene.. The second term is far from Al-Sudani
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:42 am by Rocky
» Suspicions surround hospital projects.. Is corruption hindering the Chinese agreement in Iraq?
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:41 am by Rocky
» Statement issued by the media office of Dr. Iyad Allawi
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» Faeq Zidane: The jurisdiction of law and judiciary is a constitutional and legal jurisdiction
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:37 am by Rocky
» Sudanese arrives in Baghdad
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:36 am by Rocky
» Planning: Completion of 70% of inventory and numbering work in Kirkuk
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:34 am by Rocky
» Rafidain Bank announces granting real estate loans to three categories
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:33 am by Rocky
» Dollar price today
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:32 am by Rocky
» Netanyahu enters with maps and attendees leave the General Assembly session.. What did he mention Ir
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:29 am by Rocky
» The historic agreement on international withdrawal... a turning point in the path of Iraqi sovereign
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:27 am by Rocky
» Includes citizens, employees and retirees.. A real estate loan from Rafidain worth 150 million dinar
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:24 am by Rocky
» Does it include an American withdrawal? Two important indications in the statement "ending the missi
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:22 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rates drop in Iraqi stock exchanges
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:21 am by Rocky
» Will the drop in oil affect only employees' salaries or all segments of society?
Sat 28 Sep 2024, 4:19 am by Rocky
» North Carolina removes 747,000 from voter rolls
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 5:03 pm by Bama Diva
» The full extent of the Biden-Harris criminal alien invasion REVEALED
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 4:32 pm by Bama Diva
» utube 9/24/24 MM&C Iraqi Dinar News-IRAQ-INTERNATIONALISM NY-2023 to 2029 Road Map - Social- Finan
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:17 am by Rocky
» Hanoun calls for benefiting from the Chinese economic experience and linking the Silk Road between t
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:12 am by Rocky
» Gulf-American statement directs a strict request to Iraq
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:10 am by Rocky
» Conflict escalates in the Middle East, warning of Iraq slipping deeper into confrontation
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:08 am by Rocky
» EU 'concerned' over increasing executions in Iraq
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:05 am by Rocky
» Mustafa Sand: The judiciary has proven the “wiretapping” issue, and Al-Sudani’s brother is involved
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee Talks in Numbers About Iraq’s Water Crisis with Türkiye and Proposes a Solut
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:01 am by Rocky
» Why did the Central Bank hesitate to implement the measures taken against Iraqi private banks?
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 7:00 am by Rocky
» US State Department: Announcement of agreement on the future of the international coalition from Ira
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:58 am by Rocky
» Housing Crisis in Iraq: “Ambitious” Government Plans and Fears of Monopoly
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:55 am by Rocky
» Will privatization save Iraq's economy or open the door to corruption?
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:52 am by Rocky
» Parliament: Agreement with the regional government to review its oil contracts to adapt them constit
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:51 am by Rocky
» Interior Minister: Iraq is free of drug factories
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:50 am by Rocky
» Anbar Alliance: Halbousi clings to power because he fears opening major files against him
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:48 am by Rocky
» Rising prices of oil derivatives in Kurdistan.. reasons and goals
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:46 am by Rocky
» Economist calls on the government to resort to tax exemption
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:45 am by Rocky
» Iraqi Oil Company for Investment and Pricing of Raw Gas Produced
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:44 am by Rocky
» Increase in activity at Mandali border crossing during the current year
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:43 am by Rocky
» MP: New cities map will include eight governorates next year
Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:42 am by Rocky