In September, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain made history by signing the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the two Arab nations and the Jewish state. The deal marked the first time that an Arab country normalized ties with Israel since Jordan and Egypt in 1994, signaling a shift in the region’s geopolitics. Shortly after, Sudan and Morocco followed suit. While more Arab nations choose peace instead of conflict by siding with Israel, perhaps some of the region’s most volatile nations could choose to do the same. In fact, Iraq could reap the benefits of an alliance with Israel. Having struggled with weak governance, a vulnerable economy, and conflict, such a partnership could introduce commercial opportunities, encourage stability, and independence.
For more than two decades, Iraq has suffered through seemingly endless conflicts, which have shaken its economy, weakened the rule of law, and molded the country into a fragile state. From civil war to terrorism, Iraq has become a primary battleground for foreign conflicts, vying for control and disregarding its sovereignty. The foreign meddling has resulted in numerous human rights violations, like the Abu Ghraib torture and prison scandal. Although Iraqis voted to establish their first full-term government and parliament since the invasion in 2005, it continued to face gruesome bouts of sectarian conflict, contributing to its weak economic state.
Between 1992 and 2003, Iraq was subject to numerous rounds of UN sanctions, which crippled its economy. This has proven disastrous for Iraqis, especially the country’s youth. According to recent estimates, over half of the country’s population is under 24, and approximately 70% is urbanized. The lack of educational and workforce opportunities has, indeed, sparked significant discontent. To this day, thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets to protest government corruption and the lack of social and economic opportunities.
Iraq’s development and progress have also been undermined by the expansive role that Iran has secured in the country’s domestic affairs. Tehran took advantage of Iraq’s vulnerable state during the Islamic State insurgency to slip itself in its internal affairs via its proxy Kataib Hezbollah, a paramilitary organization that forms the backbone of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Today, the designated terrorist organization controls a large portion of Iraq’s political, cultural, and economic life. The group also poses a significant threat to the established government in Iraq. It controls its land, social services operations, and security forces, establishing considerable influence at the senior level of Iraq’s government. In this way, the group often acts as an alternative state to the legitimately established one, eroding democracy and the rule of law.
For Iraq to enact positive change, it must invest in developing its social and economic potential all the while eradicating Iran’s stranglehold on the country’s internal affairs. Perhaps a newfound partnership with Israel could help facilitate these necessary steps to independence. It is important to note that the two countries have not shared a pleasant history, with Iraq rejecting the recognition of Israel since the 1950s. However, it appears as though public sentiments on Israel are changing. For example, Sarah Idan, Miss Iraq 2017, visited Israel and shared an image of herself and her Israeli counterpart Adar Gandelsman. In 2019, the Iraqi Ambassador to the U.S., Farid Yaseen, stated that both Iraq and Israel would benefit from establishing relations. This was echoed by Hassan Kaiba, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, who announced that Israel is seeking to develop a relationship with Iraq through a formal peace agreement.
A peace deal between Iraq and Israel would generate numerous positive results. In particular, an agreement would open Iraq up to foreign investment from countries such as Israel, encouraging collaboration in energy, health, education, and technology and boosting economic opportunities. Israel, and by extension, the United States, would also encourage and strengthen support for democracy in Iran and ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. A newfound alliance with one of Iran’s biggest regional foes would also help undermine Tehran’s influence in Iraq and usher a new era of sovereignty and independence.
As we head in 2021, Middle Eastern nations will continue to debate whether to form ties with Israel. If Iraq prioritizes establishing relations with Israel, it will pave the way for the country to boost its economy, strengthen its governance, encourage stability, and establish sovereignty and independence.
