Britain has a unique role to play in holding the Iraqi government to account and should encourage change within the country’s “toxic” political system, an expert has said, nearly 20 years on from the invasion.
The UK and the US spearheaded the West’s efforts to bring stability to the country in the years after the war (2003-2011) and downfall of dictator Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime.
The 2014 rise of ISIS, during which the terror group seized vast areas of Iraq and drove soldiers and police officers from their posts, was evidence of the instability that ran like an undercurrent in the country in the post-conflict era.
While UK troops no longer engage in combat in Iraq, the British Army plays a leading role in the 67-member coalition working alongside Iraqi and Kurdish security forces to prevent a return of ISIS.
Corruption is a silent killer
Against the backdrop of security concerns, a new generation of young Iraqis have been born and raised in a country where basic necessities such as education and health care are not guaranteed.
Corruption is endemic and the bright dawn of opportunity and prosperity so many had hoped for looks no more than a distant dream.
Medicines given to patients at hospitals are routinely past their use-by date, schools lack the resources to equip children with the foundation they need to excel and employment prospects are grim for many graduates.
The mounting hurdles facing Iraq’s 40.2 million citizens have caused many to question why they have to battle for the basics in their oil-rich nation.
Renad Mansour, who conducts research on Iraq at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, said the injustices blighting the country were causing people to suffer and die unnoticed.
The influence Britain continues to have in Iraq cannot be underestimated, said Mr Mansour. He wants to see the UK government step up and use its unique leverage to challenge decision makers in his country and hold them to account.
In an interview with The National, Mr Mansour stressed that “Britain has a role, not just in short-term stabilisation” of Iraq. At a minimum, it should check that those backed up by the UK’s support “are not harming the people”, he said.
“The key is having a strategy for the longer term while firefighting the current crisis.
“Britain has focused on the rule of law but the key is to move away from supporting personalities and towards ensuring coherent, accountable institutions.
“Iraqis often say that they have one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but they neither see nor benefit from this wealth. When you go to Basra, for example, you would have no idea you are standing on so much wealth. It remains an impoverished area.
“Many of the ruling elite do not use the state’s own services. They go to hospitals outside of Iraq, they send their children to schools outside of Iraq.
“These elite have taken a significant amount of Iraqis’ wealth. It is this toxic system that harms so many people.”
‘Victims of structural violence’
While Mr Mansour acknowledged it would be “difficult for Britain to try to fix these challenges in state-society relations” because there are no simple solutions, he said the government in Westminster should “call out” the unfairness running through Baghdad’s political establishment.
In October 2019 mass anti-government protests sprung up across the nation as widespread corruption propelled citizens to take action.
Authorities brutally clamped down on protesters and more than 600 were killed while tens of thousands more wounded. The sentiments that drove demonstrators to take to the streets live on, and more protests were held last week in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to mark the third anniversary.
“It is less about ethno-sectarianism and, instead, about the political system, which is the biggest killer in their eyes,” Mr Mansour said.
“They have been victims of structural violence since 2003. Their number one issue is the system and the corruption that underpins it. It has created this massive inequality.”
‘Attempts at reform have not worked’
Prime Minister Mustafa Al Khadimi rose to power in 2020 on a wave of promised reforms and new freedoms of speech after months of political instability.
But two years on, the incremental changes so many voters had pinned their hopes on have failed to materialise and their day-to-day lives have not improved.
“None of it has worked in a sustainable way,” Mr Mansour said of the efforts to bring about positive change in Iraq.
The researcher said the grim situation shocks him every time he sets foot in his homeland and convinces him that the quiet voices seeking reform need outside backing.
“Seeing the despair and disillusion, I know I am able to leave and go home but there are millions who don’t have these prospects,” he said. “They suffer without basic rights.”
People don’t have prospects, some don’t feel as if they have a future.
“The solution, to some extent, has been ‘how do you empower reformists?’”
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
New schools in Dubai
The five pillars of Islam
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
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Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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