Conversation with the President

His Excellency Dr. Barham Salih President of the Republic of Iraq With Mina Al-Oraibi Editor-in-Chief, The National

Interviewer: Mina Al-Oraibi Editor-in-Chief, The National

Al-Oraibi began the interview by questioning the regional security situation. She cited a report by the United States Ministry of Defense which stated that ISIS was in the process of re-mobilization as well as potentially planning future attacks within Iraq. She also inquired about the Kuwait International Conference for the reconstruction of Iraq, which mobilized USD 30 billion in international support. Despite these promised funds, there were many areas that were still very much in need of reconstruction and development, such as Mosul, Anbar, and Salahadin. She inquired about arrangements in place to invest in the reconstruction of these critical regions. The rest of her questions touched on the issues of corruption, the nature of stabilization and security initiatives, and the role Iraq will assume in the context of the tension between Iran and the United States (US).

Conversation with the President

Dr. Barham Salih President of the Republic of Iraq

President Salih began by thanking Al-Oraibi for her dedication to Iraq’s improvement. He then commented on how Iraq was often perceived by the international community as a playground for competing interests and conflicts. Salih insisted that this depiction should not be the overwhelming narrative of the country. There are many possibilities for growth and development that are manifested in the ambitions of Iraqis both within and outside of the country. He cited Al-Oraibi herself as an example. Salih went on to discuss the security situation, stating that the defeat of ISIS was an impressive victory to be claimed by both citizens and the military. However, there are still ISIS cells operating in Syria and Iraq, and thus it is important not to underestimate the challenges that lie ahead.

The newly formed government must – among other priorities – address the issue of reconstruction with urgency. Despite the victory over ISIS, there is still much work to be done, including facilitating the return of the internally displaced (IDPs) to their homes and reinstating basic services in newly liberated areas. The citizens of Mosul and other parts of Iraq that were devastated by ISIS are entitled to hold their leaders accountable for the reconstruction. Despite the diverse political landscape of Iraq, the current government is committed to prioritizing this process. This will not be made possible, he explained, if the issue of corruption is not taken seriously. He connected the issues of corruption and the provision of access to services as the foci of the current administration.

He further touched on the political landscape in Iraq that has shifted beyond identity politics and sectarianism. Iraqi citizens are exercising their right to hold leaders accountable, regardless of which sect or religion they belong. The people of Iraq are striving to live their lives with dignity, with all that this entails, and it is up to the government to make sure that these legitimate expectations are met. Moreover, it is in the best interest of neighboring countries to see Iraq realized as a successful nation because instability within Iraq also affects regional stability. Strengthening ties with neighboring countries can eventually lead to a network of infrastructure and transportation that connects Iraq to the Gulf, Turkey, and Iran. This will increase job creation and decrease levels of youth unemployment, not only in Iraq, but all neighboring countries. In addition, Iraq could ultimately find itself in the position of peacemaker between regional countries, as opposed to a battleground for competing interests.

Responding to the tension between the US and Iran, President Salih confirmed that the presence of US military agents in Iraq has been approved by the government of Iraq for the sole purpose of training the Iraqi military. The US is an ally, and has been immensely helpful in the fight against ISIS. However, the victory that has been achieved is still fragile, and thus, while Iraq will do its best to mitigate the tensions between the two nations, it will not allow itself to be pulled into a proxy war. Instead, Iraq is focused on breaking through the political gridlock that prevents the country from executing its core functions for Iraqi citizens. He concluded by drawing on the hope that Iraqi youth would inherit a better Iraq than that of previous generations, despite the challenges ahead.