Iraq Conference Info Pack

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speakers
11.15 – 12.00 GMT Session 1: In Conversation with Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister
Speaker: Ali Allawi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Republic of Iraq
Moderator: Lina Khatib, Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House
13.30 – 15.00 GMT Session 2: Empowering Iraq’s Youth in Shaping Iraq’s Future
Iraq has one of the youngest populations in the world, with nearly 60 per cent of its citizens under the age of 25.
This new generation have no memory of Iraq under Baathist rule and have spent their lifetimes in a country run
by an unaccountable political elite that have failed to prevent repeated cycles of violent conflict. Young people’s
discontent with corruption, inequality and growing unemployment has fuelled popular protests that have
shaken the foundations of the post-2003 political order. Given the economic crisis, the Iraqi government is less
able to accommodate the needs of Iraq’s youth. This session will explore the social, economic and political
realities for Iraq’s growing youth population, the motivations of those taking part in protests, and the role young
people will play in the 2021 elections and beyond.
Speakers
Zahra Ali, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Rutgers University
Sajad Jiyad, Independent Analyst
Christine van den Toorn, Founder and President, Iraq Fund for Higher Education
Moderator: Maya Gebeily, Baghdad Deputy Bureau Chief, Agence-France Presse
16.00 – 17.30 GMT Session 3: Prospects for Security Sector Reform in Iraq
In 2020, the security situation in Baghdad and many parts of Iraq has become more precarious. Iraq’s
government struggles to hold to account armed groups that are both under and outside its formal command.
These groups have targeted activists and researchers with impunity thus far. They are also beginning to police
communities across the country, outside of a centralised accountability structure. In this session, policymakers
and experts will discuss recent developments in Iraq’s security sector under Prime Minister Mustafa Al-
Kadhimi and the prospects for the success or failure of security policies in the face of significant escalations.
Speakers
Qasim Al-Araji, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq
Maria Fantappie, Special Adviser for the Middle East and North Africa, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue
Michael Knights, Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Moderator: Renad Mansour, Senior Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme and Director,
Iraq Initiative, Chatham House
2020 has seen the advent of crisis after crisis in Iraq: from the
assassinations of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis
and a series of clashes between US and Iran-aligned militias, to
the political crisis over the appointment of a new government,
the impact of COVID-19 on Iraq’s crumbling healthcare system,
the collapse of oil prices and delays in paying public salaries, and
rumblings from a resurgent ISIS.
This virtual conference, part of the Iraq Initiative, brings togeth-
er Iraqi and international policymakers, academics and activists
to discuss the critical issues for Iraq as it navigates this challeng-
ing period.
11.00 – 12.30 GMT Session 4: Cultural Heritage in Iraq’s Statebuilding Process
In Iraq’s troubled post-2003 politics, cultural heritage has undergone major transformation. International,
national and regional actors have all been involved in shaping Iraq’s political trajectory. A key component of
those processes has been the ways in which the country’s cultural heritage has been instrumentalised to serve
the interests of organised political groups. Since 2003, Iraq’s national cultural heritage has been fragmented
into competing parcels, controlled and exploited for the interests of rival political parties. In this context, this
panel will discuss the outcomes of Iraq’s post-2003 statebuilding process on its cultural heritage and what
should be done now to build a cohesive and peace-oriented national cultural infrastructure that serves the
needs of the people of Iraq.
Speakers
Saad Eskander, Cultural Heritage Advisor, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Republic of Iraq
Maja Kominko, Scientific and Programs Director, Aliph Foundation
Hassan Nadhem, Minister of Culture and Antiquities, Republic of Iraq
Moderator: Eleanor Robson, Director, Nahrein Network and Head, History Department, University College
London
13.30 – 15.00 GMT Session 5: Securing Justice and the Rule of Law in Iraq
The process of detaining and prosecuting those suspected of involvement in ISIS has put a spotlight on Iraq’s
fractured justice system. However, over the last year, Iraqis across the country have been affected by a weak
judiciary unable to offer independent ruling on key constitutional issues, from guaranteeing freedom of speech
and assembly to adjudicating against assassinations of activists and researchers. The justice system has not
been able to maintain the rule of law, and most parties act with impunity. This session will discuss the state of
Iraq’s judiciary, the process of justice for the victims of violence, and the role of legal bodies in enforcing
accountability.
Speakers
Zaid Al-Ali, Senior Programme Officer in Constitution-Building in the Africa and West Asia Region,
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
Ahlam Al-Lami, Lawyer; Former Head, Iraqi Bar Association
Belkis Wille, Senior Researcher, Crisis and Conflict Division, Human Rights Watch
Moderator: Jane Arraf, International Correspondent, National Public Radio
16.00 – 17.30 GMT Session 6: The Future of Iraq in the Region

Over the past year, Iraq has been caught in the middle of an escalation between the US and Iran, challenging
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's attempts to steer a neutral and independent foreign policy. While
Washington threatens to pull out its embassy from Baghdad for the first time since 2003, the prime minister
continues to engage with regional and international actors, including a recent trip to Germany, France, and the
UK. This session will explore the future of Iraq’s relations with Iran and the US in the context of the outcome of
the US presidential election, as well as Iraq’s place within other evolving regional and international dynamics.
Speakers
Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor in Chief, The National
Raad Alkadiri, Senior Director, Center for Energy Impact, Boston Consulting Group
Fanar Haddad, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq; Visiting Fellow, Middle East Centre, London
School of Economics
Moderator: Sanam Vakil, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa
Programme, Chatham House
10.30 – 12.00 GMT Session 7: Pulling Iraq's Economy Back from the Brink
The fall in the price of oil this year has significantly impacted the Iraqi state, which is spending double its
revenue each month. Finance Minister Ali Allawi has published a White Paper which puts forward an ambitious
project to reform Iraq’s economic system, while, in the meantime, dipping into its remaining reserves to sustain
a bloated bureaucracy. However, in an election year, can the Iraqi government pursue the austerity
recommendations required to cope with falling government revenues? This session will explore the current
economic situation in Iraq and will look at the short-term challenges but also the longer-term reform of the
rentier state.
Speakers
Suha Al-Najjar, Head, National Investment Authority
David Copley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, US State Department
Toby Dodge, Kuwait Professor and Director, Kuwait Programme, Middle East Centre, London School of
Economics; Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House
Ahmed Tabaqchali, Chief Investment Officer, AFC Iraq Fund, Adjunct Assistant Professor, American
University of Iraq Sulaimani
Moderator: Renad Mansour, Senior Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme &
Director, Iraq Initiative, Chatham House
13.00 – 14.00 GMT Session 8: In Conversation with the Deputy Prime Minister of the
Kurdistan Regional Government
Speaker: Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government
Moderator: Renad Mansour, Senior Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme &
Director, Iraq Initiative, Chatham House
The Chatham House Iraq Initiative is a fieldwork-based policy project that rethinks the na-
ture of state-building and governance in Iraq. The project tackles the root causes of state
failure to challenge assumptions held in Western capitals about stabilization and peace-
building and reach a more nuanced approach to navigating Iraq’s complex and interlinked
political, security, and economic environment. The initiative is based on original analysis
and close engagement with a network of researchers and institutions inside Iraq. At the
local level, it maps key political, business, military, tribal, clerical, and civil society figures
across Iraq. At the national level, it explores the struggle over the state. The project uses
these field-based insights to inform international policy towards Iraq. Chatham House
convenes Iraq Initiative activities in various cities in the Middle East, the UK, the US and
Europe.

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How can I get the most out of the conference?

In the lead up to Your participation Keep the

• Test your • View the participant • Catch up on-demand

• Complete your • Listen to the panel • Reach out to the

• Browse the agenda • Submit questions via the • Access materials

Moderator: Jane Arraf, International Correspondent, National Public Radio

16.00 – 17.30 GMT Session 6: The Future of Iraq in the Region

Speaker: Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government

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