The Rafidain Center for Dialogue RCD held a dialogue session entitled "The political experience between the practice of opposition and the exercise of power", in which His Eminence Sheikh Hamid Maala, head of the General Authority of the National Wisdom Movement, was hosted. Sheikh Maala spoke about the nature of the Iraqi political situation, reviewing the most important time periods under which Iraq's political identity was formed, adding that there are three factors affecting it, the first is the international factor, the second is the regional factor, and the third, which is considered the most important and influential "reason", is the local factor, which he assured its importance with the condition of unity and solidarity or at least its compatibility with national participants, or it is the weakest when people are scattered on the basis of sectarianism, ethnicity, partisanship, regionalism, etc. The lecturer explained that the Iraqis had three options, the first was being partition, the second was being a non-state, and the third was represented by the option of a strong State. Since its formation in the 1920s, the model that has characterized the Iraqi state has been sectarian.

The conflict, as Maala sees it, and the disagreement in the form of the political and administrative model that the Iraqi state should follow after 2003, has been the cause of its delay since then, stressing that there are many problems in Iraq, which need serious solutions, including corruption, unemployment and problems of young people, all of which need time, pointing out that the country is moving towards solving political problems to improve its reality, although that path is slow, adding that the danger of partition has been given since the iraqis joined hands In defeating the threat of terrorism, the State is now in a new phase that needs everyone to join efforts to promote and flourish.

Conclusions:

1-      Despite Iraq's ancient history and cultural depth, throughout that history it has not witnessed geographical or political significance, and its geographical significance was manifested after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Three factors played a role in the composition of that significance or geographical nature of Iraq: the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the entry of occupation armies into the region in general, Iraq in particular, and the ambitions of these armies to divide the region, of which Iraq is a key part.

2-      The most prominent problem faced by the Iraqi state since its founding, in the early 1920s, was the nature of the political system to be adopted appropriate to the ethnic pluralism of society, as this country has not developed a clear political identity.

3-      The monarchy was adopted at the beginning of the founding of the Iraqi state, because, at that time, it was considered the most appropriate system for managing Iraq's ethnic and sectarian diversity, but the accusation of corruption and ineffectiveness led to the change of that regime and its replacement with the republican system.

4-      Republican rule saw a series of models of military regimes, followed by dictatorial regimes to varying degrees, until the moment of the fall of the former regime in 2003.

5-      From the founding of the modern Iraqi state to 2003, the period was recognized by sectarianism, which characterized by an equation of "minority ruling the majority", and the post-2003 phase was that of federal state that has changed that equation.

6-      After 2003, Iraq had three options, the first option was being divided into several countries, while the second option was the choice of a weak state, the non-state, or the states of components and parties parallel to the legitimate state, while the third option was the option of a strong state. Each of those options, which faced by the Iraqi State, had supporters and opponents from various Iraqi political forces.

7-      The choice of "the non-state" is a dangerous one, leading only to the division of the State, thus fragmenting society and sliding to the brink.

8-      After 2018 and the aftermath of the victory over terrorism, the threat of partition of Iraq faded, and the country became moving towards a strong state, but at a slow pace.

9-      There are factors that have played an important and active role in Iraqi political affairs and the nature of the formation of the political system such as:

·         International factor: Which was represented by the intervention of the major powers in Iraqi affairs, despite their claim not to intervene and leave things to the Iraqis to decide their future.

·         Regional factor: Regional power struggles over interests and influence within Iraq, as regional interventions by each state have confused the Iraqi political situation and prevented the formation of a well-established political identity.

·         Local factor: It means the interactions between Iraqi political forces, representing all components, which is the strongest factor in influencing Iraq’s future by former workers, especially if this factor is characterized by unity of position and agreement on core issues.

Recommendations:

1-      There are advanced steps towards improving the political situation, but they are slow, and continuing with these steps is important to lift the Iraqi reality out of what it is.

2-      The nature of the existing political system does not produce a strong system, and the problems of the Iraqi political system are addressed only by a strong government and constructive opposition that represents true democratic values.

3-      The alliances that occurred after the election results (The Construction Alliance, the Reform and Reconstruction Alliance) are a step in the right direction, as each alliance has a mixture of key components in Iraqi society, which is a positive sign of moving away from sectarian trenching, so strengthening and institutionalizing these alliances is an urgent necessity to bring the democratic process to safety.

4-      There is a possibility of undermining corruption in the Iraqi state, and it should be done with good measurements and strong efforts at various levels.

5-      The agreement between the parties, which are the main components, is very important for moving forward and advancing all responsibilities, and guiding the compass of political performance in the right direction, because in the division there is a regression in that performance that led the saboteurs and corrupt people to destroy the country.

6-      Solutions come through programs and not just in speeches, so real and effective programs must be followed, which will improve reality at all levels, and hard work is measured only by delivering achievements and providing services.

7-      Iraq is regaining its international well-being, reputation and status, and there are serious steps towards consolidating this, particularly in the media field.

8-      Young people are the solution, and their abilities to advance the country should not be compromised if they are taken care of and empowered. Here, there should be a distinction between empowering young people and highlighting youth.

9-      The failures of the past period must be a motive for correcting the course, not a means of frustration and failure to take responsibility for this country.