Baghdad brims with promise as Iraq opens up to the Arab world

I crossed the Al-Aimmah Bridge on foot, heading towards the Grand Imam Mosque, also known as the Abu Hanifa Al-Nu'man Mosque, dated to around 150 AH and in the Al-Rusafa district on the eastern side of the Tigris.

The bridge is a link between the inhabitants of two areas with clear cultural distinctions between them. In Al-Karkh, the majority of the residents came from the Arabian Peninsula, particularly its central region. In Al-Rusafa, the majority of the residents were Ajam, hailing from the northern and eastern areas.

While strolling through the areas that Saturday morning, I contemplated the state of Baghdad, with the images from my memories intermingling with the present scenery, reminiscent of the words of Mustafa Jamal al-Din, the Iraqi poet and scholar who died in 1996:

"Baghdad, the ages have clashed in your horizon

And though wilting, you will green again

Life has passed by you during your sunny mornings

And it has passed through your nights that were illuminated by the moon."

As I made my way in the evening from the Babel Hotel towards the Baghdad Restaurant on Abu Nuwas Street, those verses resonated within me. Al-Din's words became my companion as I strolled through the city.

There was a prevailing aura of hope amid the faces of its people, even with signs of unrest also visible. Baghdad's citizens seemed to be heading for a brighter and more promising future, one that could surpass the current challenges it faces.

The progress made by the once-ravaged city was on display at the restaurant. I indulged in the delightful flavours of masgouf and grilled fish, skillfully prepared on cedar wood and accompanied by freshly baked hot bread and aromatic tea.

Lingering scars from previous conflict can still be seen, but on the way back from the meal, there were more warm smiles, and the conversations I heard stoked hope that the gap between Baghdad's problems and its potential could be bridged.

Collaboration and partnership

The next afternoon, I visited the Rewaq Baghdad Centre for Public Policy, established in 2019, in Arasat, Al-Karrada, the heart of Iraq's capital.

I was warmly welcomed by its president, Abbas Al-Anburi, who also serves as an advisor to the Foreign Relations Committee of the Iraqi Parliament. During the visit, Mr. Al-Anburi graciously guided us through the centre, showcasing its training hall and well-equipped modern library.

We were thoroughly informed about the centre's dynamic activities and events, as well as its collaborative endeavours with foreign research institutions. We learned about the programmes for Iraqi youth, along with their focus on addressing sensitive societal issues, extremism and women's empowerment.

Later, we went to the Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, in the Jadriya area. We met with its executive director, Ali Taher Al-Hamoud, who also serves as a professor of political sociology at the University of Baghdad.

He provided us with insight into current projects, including one covering diplomacy which will host researchers from Saudi Arabia and Iran. Their work will analyse the impact of the Saudi-Iranian agreement on Iraq and the political, economic and security coordination needed for it to flourish.

At both centres, we explored the potential for future collaboration and partnerships.

I then went to the Mansour area, situated on the Karkh side of Baghdad.

There, I dined at one of the restaurants established by Kaka Samad. His story, which encapsulates much of the promise of Iraq, is well worth telling.

A recipe for hope, determination and progress

Samad began as a humble worker in a popular restaurant in Kirkuk during the 1970s. His unwavering dedication and passion helped him win recognition throughout Iraq. He relocated to Baghdad, driven by an unyielding ambition to pursue his career. He aspired to own his own restaurant. Against all odds, he succeeded and now oversees a thriving group of them.

The story is remarkable because of the challenges Kaka Samad  – and Iraq – faced between 1990 and 2003. They included an international blockade and sanctions against Iraq with all their dire consequences. But so many Iraqis, who had no direct political involvement, refused to allow these events that affected them as a country and as individuals to shatter their hopes and dreams.

There are numerous ordinary people and unknown heroes have their own stories and achievements that deserved to be told. Afterall, the history of nations is not exclusively shaped by significant events or political crises.

Two universities and one intention to cooperate

We went on to visit the Jadriya campus of the University of Baghdad, established in the late 1950s. It is home to faculties including the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Political Science, and Faculty of Media.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to meet with the dean of the Faculty of Political Science, Adel Bdeiwi, who showed us around. We saw students taking their final exams in buildings and rooms that had not been renovated for decades. Despite the limited resources, the dean enthusiastically shared the college's programmes and aspirations for the future.

I went on to  Nahrain University. It was established in 1987 – as Saddam University – before that name was dropped in 2003. But it retains its founding ambition: to make Iraq a trailblazer in research and innovation.

Ali Fares, the dean of the Faculty of Political Science,  showed us around the Hall of Mesopotamian Civilisations, where we attended a thought-provoking discussion of a master's thesis in political philosophy. The level of academic discourse on show was quite different from the current political situation in a country striving to overcome challenging circumstances.

After the visits, the deans from both colleges held useful discussions on collaboration between the institutions. Topics covered, included organising conferences, exchanging researchers, offering supervision to postgraduate students, and delivering lectures in Riyadh or Baghdad on shared subjects.

Security and counter-terrorism

On the final day of my visit, I had a meeting with Khaled Al-Yaqoobi, the security policy advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, at the Al-Zaqura Palace.

He is a member of the security and political coordination committee between Riyadh and Baghdad, and oversees the reform of Iraq's security institutions. We discussed the future of development in the Arab region and the potential opportunities arising from Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reforms to foster economic growth in the entire region.

I also saw the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service, renowned for its exceptional capabilities in the region and worldwide. Established in 2007, this agency has played a pivotal role in liberating areas previously occupied by the Islamic State (IS).

We received a warm reception from the head of the Counter Terrorism Service, Colonel General Abdul-Wahab Al-Saadi, who is widely respected in Iraq for his outstanding leadership skills. Having served as the Deputy Commander of the Counter Terrorism Service in 2014, he led a series of highly successful operations against Daesh, resulting in the liberation of several provinces.

Despite his achievements, he was transferred to the Ministry of Defence in 2019 by a decision from the then-Prime Minister, without specifying the reasons for this move.

Some suggest that hidden foreign hands influenced this decision, possibly Iran. The decision sparked popular protests demanding his return to the position, and eventually, during the tenure of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, in 2020, Al-Saadi was re-appointed.

We discussed organising a scientific conference and a potential contribution from his side to the topic of combating terrorist activities.

Iraq and the achievements of a new openness

On the way back from Iraq, I reflected on the way Iraq is committed to establishing openness with the wider Arab world.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iraq are a good example. There is now a robust and positive momentum in a range of areas, including security, politics, the economy, society, and culture.

Baghdad's mediation between Riyadh and Tehran was a sustained achievement. Iraq hosted five rounds of talks, which played a pivotal role in the signing of an agreement in China, leading to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Mazhar Mohammad Saleh, the prime minister's advisor on finances, highlighted the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq in building the political and economic foundations for peace. The two nations share much in common, not least their significant position in the Islamic world, which sets them apart from other neighbouring countries.

Their bond also comes from shared language, cultural ties, geographical proximity, and various tribal and familial connections.

Saleh also pointed out that Saudi Arabia's economic status and connections with global markets, not least as a member of the G20, could help Iraq grow its economy.

The strategic significance of the Kingdom – via its strong maritime presence between the Gulf and the Red Sea play – can also play a vital role in optimising the logistics of both economies in tandem.

A thriving economic partnership between Saudi Arabia and Iraq will pave the way for significant progress in other areas of cooperation between them.

The Saudi role in opening up

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognised Iraq's determination to open up to the Arab world. The countries set up the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council to boost bilateral communication, improve relations, and remove investment barriers.

Despite Iraq's current constraints in terms of resources, the Kingdom has reaffirmed the strong historical ties, fraternal bonds, and deep-rooted historical connections between the two nations by offering assistance to Iraq.

Saudi Arabia has inaugurated a power linkage project between the two countries, which will supply Iraq with approximately 500 megawatts of electricity.

This initiative aims to diversify Iraq's energy sources and meet its electricity needs. In addition, a joint Saudi-Iraqi fund has been set up, capitalised with $3bn, to maximise and encourage foreign investment in Iraq.

During a visit of a presidential delegation of Iraq to Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said: "I and my ministers are advisors for you. I am ready to make investments in Iraq, ranging from one billion to one hundred billion dollars."

It showed the Kingdom's commitment to supporting Iraq's efforts to stand on its own feet. It also represented a clear invitation from the Kingdom to build bridges of trust with the Iraqi government and provide a reliable and strategic partner for the country.

The economic aspect

Saudi Arabia has adopted the principle of economically empowering Iraq and its people. The approach is based on the notion that Iraq's prosperity and economic progress enhance its political stability, independence, and opportunities for peace and security in the region, ultimately serving the interests of the entire region.

Iraq maintains economic relations with numerous countries around the world, but the significant importance of the Gulf and, in particular, the Saudi market is clear. The opportunities for investment and trade available here will boost Iraq's progress towards a thriving economy.

The Saudi diplomatic role in revitalising its ties with Iraq has been significant.

After nearly a quarter-century of strained relations between the two countries and following Saudi Arabia's withdrawal from Iraq in 2003, the Kingdom steadily sought to revive its diplomatic relationship with its neighbour.

Dialogue was established with influential Iraqi Shiite leaders, including Ammar al-Hakim, Haider al-Abadi, and Muqtada al-Sadr. The Kingdom encouraged Iraq to engage by offering a range of incentives.

Benefits and obstacles

There are significant benefits that Iraqi openness to the Arab, regional, and international world can bring to the country – from national security to boosting economic growth, attracting investments, and achieving comprehensive and sustainable development – but there are also potential obstacles.  

One barrier is the presence of harmful foreign influence in Iraq, which undermines its national interests and exerts continuous pressure on Iraqi decision-makers, influencing them to adopt policies that may not necessarily align with Iraq's interests.

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The new openness in Iraq marks the start of a new phase that could be characterised by peace – moving on from extremism and sectarian conflict.

Iraqi decision-makers need to foster internal unity, bringing their political discourse together, while considering the concerns and opinions of marginalised groups. They will need to rise above minor grievances and possibly significant ones.

Failing to move on from the old Arab belief that people do not change and history repeats itself will not contribute to the establishment of a modern Iraqi state with institutions capable of meeting the aspirations of the entire population.

Neither will they reassure Arab nations about Iraq's policy of non-alignment with any entity that could pose a threat to regional security and the security of its neighbours.

Foreign policy should be based on the principles of balance, respect, mutual interests, and respect for the sovereignty of nations, refraining from interfering in their internal affairs to ensure their political and economic stability.

If these principles are applied, we will witness a different, prosperous, and more compatible relationship between Iraq and its Arab neighbours, especially with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, taking into account their natural proximity.

Prosperity, dignity and independence

Before crises enveloped the nation, Iraq was a regional powerhouse. Now, it seeks to regain its rightful place on the regional and global stage, recognising the mistakes, setbacks, and circumstances that contributed to its current state.

Despite everything that Iraq has been through, and despite the human, economic, and political toll, Iraqi policymakers are determined to establish open relationships with the Arab, regional, and international communities and to benefit from these relations politically, economically, and socially.

The Iraqi government's policy of positive neutrality, designed to help it achieve that, also allowed it to act as a mediator between Saudi Arabia and Iran, contributing to the return of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran after an eight-year break.

Saudi Arabia significantly contributed to Iraq's move to openness, via soft economic intervention. It established a coordination council between the two nations and initiated vital projects that contributed to Iraq's revival. Moreover, the Kingdom invested in Iraq, paving the way for others to follow.

It is part of the Saudi desire to boost the entire region, attracting international investment and pioneering initiatives in vital sectors.

Iraq is essential for the region's progress, and the Kingdom is keen on its comprehensive advancement, which includes the prosperity, dignity, and independence of Iraq.

Concerns remain but hopes are high

Nonetheless, concerns remain. The most significant is over foreign influence within Iraq, Persistent interventions here could push Iraq back.

The actions undertaken by the Iraqi government are a crucial and positive development in its international relations, particularly within the Arab context.

Although some within Iraq oppose this step and fight it to protect their own interests, the paramount concern is the interests of the Iraqi people. This internal matter lies in the hands of Iraqis to address.

The actions undertaken by the Iraqi government are a crucial and positive development in its international relations, particularly within the Arab context. Although some within Iraq oppose this step and fight it to protect their own interests, the paramount concern is the interests of the Iraqi people.

This internal matter lies in the hands of Iraqis to address. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that these inclusive steps reflect a genuine and strategic orientation from the Kingdom to bring Iraq back to the Arab fold after years of estrangement.

During my tour of Baghdad, its character was on display. It exuded patience, love for life, smiles, and hospitality, which we encountered at every corner.

It significantly enhanced the overall impression of a city – and a nation – looking like it was in the middle of a strong and promising recovery, with a little help from its friends.

-Hesham Alghannam is a Saudi political scientist with more than 23 years of experience in political, economic and international relations advisory and research.

He is the Director General of the Strategic Studies and National Security Programs at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.