The week of Al-Rafidain started with an analytical reading of the atmosphere of writing the constitution regarding the Article 140 and the disputed areas. Afterwards, there was a discussion about Kirkuk’s oil, for being the tool that determines the fate of this province, while some considered it as a tool that increases the complexity of the problems because the oil and gas law has not been approved yet. Moreover, there is a question about the increased population in Kirkuk and whether the Kurds are behind it, and answers pointed out that 60,000 families were not proven to be from Kirkuk, while they are within the voter registration. Furthermore, discussion has been made about the invitation to seek support from the UN to identify the political identity of Kirkuk, and the question about the form of agreement between Kirkuk’s Arabs and Turkmens, if we assume that the Kurds are out of Kirkuk’s equation.

The rapid population growth in Iraq imposes several and urgent economic needs, including the national investment development and opening doors to the foreign investment, as investment is the conclusive element within the modern economies in providing job opportunities and raising the income levels. Moreover, investment plays the largest role in developing infrastructures and the services provided to citizens, in addition to creating societal stability in the country.

Iraq is at a crossroad, as events are dramatically increasing, alongside with expected victory against terrorism that can lead to a post-ISIS new era in the country and the region in general. In addition, several topics were discussed during the week, including the Iraqi Parliament Council voting on Iraqi flag raising over the offices and institutions of Kirkuk province. Moreover, emphasis was placed on the importance of developing plans to reconstruct the liberated areas and return the IDPs after eliminating terrorism and purifying the Iraqi land of the criminals’ impurity to secure the IDPs’ return.

Like the rest of weeks of RCD, the last week was full of dialogues and deep ideas, including discussions about the necessity for the Shiites forces decision to normalize the international and regional relations and take the national reconciliation path. In addition, the article written by Al-Abadi in Washington Post was commended as an introduction to the foundations of a real state. Moreover, discussions included that Iraq’s relation with the USA should be based on a common strategic interests, and the Iraqi political currents should realize the importance of the relation with the USA, so that it is reflected on the urban reality of services and development in Iraq. Furthermore, there is a possible oil-for-construction agreement between Iraq and the USA.

Al-Rafidain Dialogue of last week started with an analytical view of Iraq decline after the transition from monarchy to republic, while some disagree with the validity of comparison between monarchy and republic, as each of them has different dimensions. Moreover, the results of the Iraqi delegation meeting with International Monetary Fund experts were mentioned, aiming at achieving an agreement that corrects the Iraqi overall fiscal balance and improves its financial administration, emphasizing the stable reserves of the Central Bank for the time being.

Iraq is characterized by internal and external diversity. Internally, it has a demographic diversity of citizens of same nations. On the other hand, it has internal diversity, as the regional surrounding of Iraq combines a mixture of Arab and Gulf countries, in addition to two foreign countries, Turkey and Iran.