The first session of the Iraqi Research Leadership Forum, organized by the Iraqi Group for Foreign Affairs, kicked off in Baghdad under the title: “The Iraqi Political Environment: Structural Challenges and Reform Options.” It featured the participation of a select group of international Iraqi researchers from inside and outside Iraq, working in the most prominent regional and international think tanks.
The session witnessed in-depth discussions that addressed the nature of the structural challenges facing the political system in Iraq and the possible reform pathways to enhance stability and establish the principles of good governance.
The session participants included Dr. Abbas Kadhim, Resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative; Dr. Munqith Dagher from the Gallup International polling organization; Dr. Liqaa Makki, Researcher at Al Jazeera Centre for Studies; Dr. Zainab Al-Suwaij, Executive Director of the American Islamic Congress; and Dr. Alaa Benjamin, Researcher in Political Affairs and International Relations. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Abbas Al-Anbouri, member of the Iraqi Group for Foreign Affairs.
The speakers emphasized the importance of adopting comprehensive reform approaches that take into account the political and social realities and enhance citizens’ trust in democratic institutions. They also pointed to the necessity of building a balanced Iraqi model that responds to local and regional challenges and is based on national experience in reform and governance.