On January 20, Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States. Biden has inherited a full slate of foreign policy challenges to address, many of which relate to the Middle East. However, for Biden to succeed in any foreign policy endeavors, his administration must prioritize pushing for tangible change in Iraq. The nation is struggling under the weight of a weak economy, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and Iran’s ever-expanding presence in the nation. Over the past two years, Iraqis have expressed significant discontent with the situation, demanding the removal of Iranian influence. As the nation prepares for elections, it could serve as a prime opportunity for the Biden administration to back Iraqi calls for a new era of substantial change.
Today, Iraq’s political, economic, and social spheres are tremendously vulnerable due to Iran’s stranglehold. Iran first established substantial power within its neighbor’s borders during the height of the Islamic State insurgency, seeing it as an opportunity to mold Iraq into a sister-state. During this period, Iran took advantage of the fact that the Iraqi government and military were spread thin and took the opportunity to root themselves in its internal affairs via its proxy Kataib Hezbollah. Kataib Hezbollah is a paramilitary organization that forms the center of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). It has gained a significant amount of control over Iraq’s political, cultural, and economic life. Today, the PMU controls land, operates distinct social services efforts and security forces, and has established considerable influence at the senior level of Iraq’s government. Alarmingly, Iraqi politicians have also aligned with the PMU, raising serious concerns over where the interests of Iraq’s leaders lie. Evidently, the country’s leaders represent the Persian nation, more so than fixing the country’s internal problems.
As the quality of life and social and economic opportunities declines, Iraqis have pushed back against their leaders and Iranian influence. Since October 2019, thousands of Iraqis have rallied together to protest government corruption, rising unemployment, and crumbling public services, which has been augmented by Iran’s interference. These protests have been amplified by the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Indeed, protesters have called on the government to resign (succeeded in toppling one Prime Minister) or for the government to be overthrown. One of the critical demands protesters voiced is for the government to organize early elections. In a surprising move, the Prime Minister agreed to this. The government has not responded to the protests positively. In many instances, protesters have been struck by live bullets, hot water, tear gas, and other forms of violence and torture, which have resulted in countless arrests, injuries, and deaths.
Iraqis have been subject to numerous terror attacks and threats of violence over the past year alone. In late January, the country’s capital was rocked by twin suicide bombings, killing at least 32 people and injuring 110 others. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks, indicating that the terror group is still alive and functioning. Over the past few weeks, pro-Iran militias launched rocket attacks against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and military bases housing American troops, placing the vulnerable state of Iraq in the middle of a precarious foreign policy battle.
Calls for the Iraqi government to step down are increasing. In response, the government has instituted some methods to try and appease its citizens. For example, in early January, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi promised to expose corruption in the nation and revive its economic development opportunities. The Prime Minister established a Committee to Combat Corruption and Exceptional Crimes and noted that senior officials were being arrested for their corrupt practices for the first time. Al-Khadimi promised to expand the use of this program as the year continued. While this is a positive effort to tackle corruption on paper, many believe it is too late.
As Iraq prepares for its upcoming election, President Biden and his administration should help the fragile nation to transition into a new period of democracy and stability. According to Iraqi election officials, there are 260 political parties registered to contest the forthcoming elections. Out of these, 60 are new. Two emerging parties have particularly captured attention–Imtidad and National Home, which were founded by protesters and seek to translate protester demands into actionable policy. The Biden administration should closely track the upcoming election cycle in Iraq and amplify parties that support democratic values, ridding the country of Iran’s toxic influence. Given that domestic affairs in Iraq act as a domino effect throughout the region, it is integral that the Biden administration includes Iraq in its foreign policy efforts going forward. In addition, if Iraq can remove Iranian influence from the country successfully, it would be a significant win for the U.S. and its allies.
The United States has entered a new period of democracy. The Biden administration must push for a similar transition period in Iraq during the upcoming election cycle. The Middle Eastern nation continues to suffer from corruption, a weak economy, Iran’s destructive influence, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and it desperately needs change. By throwing its support behind democracy-aligned political parties, like Imtidad and National Home, the Biden administration can help Iraq enter a new period of growth and stability.
