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
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Mismanagement Is Killing Iraq. By Luay al-Khatteeb* Forget corruption. Waste, inefficiency and economic distortion have brought Baghdad to the brink. Ever since Stuart Bowen led the first attempt to account for Iraqi reconstruction funds in mid-2004, it has been clear that Iraq hemorrhages money through corruption. Since then, things have got worse as last year the late Ah
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Iraq's transition from autocracy to multiparty elections has made it something of a test case in the Arab world. Although the Sunni-Shia divide has created difficult obstacles to good governance, it has led to a wider embrace of power sharing, at least as a political principle. Iraq's Islamist parties play a dominant role in politics, but pose less of a threat to democracy th
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Political and economic turmoil point to a protracted displacement crisis that will get worse before it gets better. As the Iraqi security forces began their assault on ISIS-controlled Fallujah, the city's remaining inhabitants were advised to flee. They will join the millions of Iraqis who have been displaced by conflict, adding to a crisis that merits much more attention th
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Key Takeaway: Iraq's Federal Court will issue an important ruling on May 25 that could have a major impact on the political crisis. The issues at stake are the legitimacy of Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi's ministerial appointments and the speakership of the Council of Representatives. Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is a driver of the political party that has raised
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