2019 Sulaimani Forum

American University of Iraq, Sulaimani Sulaimani – Kirkuk Main Road, Raparin Sulaimani, Iraq Tel: +964 (0)53-511-2020 E-mail: info@auis.edu.krd

The Institute of Regional and International Studies E-mail: iris@auis.edu.krd

@IRISmideast

THE SIXTH ANNUAL SULAIMANI FORUM

IRAQ AND ITS NEIGHBORS: TOWARD A NEW REGIONAL ORDER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF IRAQ, SULAIMANI March 6-7, 2019

Proceedings

Edited by Mac Skelton, Christine van den Toorn & Zainab Hamid Designed by: Awder Shwan AUIS Office of Communications

PREMIUM SPONSORS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Sixth Annual Sulaimani Forum was organized by the staff of the Institute of Regional and International Studies’ (IRIS) at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), particularly Christine van den Toorn, Zainab Hamid Mera, and James ‘Mac’ Skelton. The Forum would not have been possible without the efforts and contributions of the following AUIS departments: Communications, IT, Security, Facilities Management, Finance & Purchasing, and Student Services as well as the help of AUIS staff and student volunteers. IRIS would also like to thank AUIS President, Bruce Walker Ferguson for his support, as well as that of all AUIS faculty members. The support and guidance of the following persons (in no particular order) was particularly essential: Soran Naqishbandy, Shvan Najm Abdullah, Ranj Sarraj, Delawit Mesfin, Rebaz Nawzad, Mohammed Ali, Korak Agha, Kani Abdul Latif, and Mina Bassam. Finally IRIS thanks Carmen Ibrahim for assistance in translating the speeches

Table of Contents 8 9 10 11 12 14 18 21 28 32 39 47 50 56 62 68 72 80

About IRIS About the Sulaimani Forum Welcome from Christine van den Toorn Opening Remarks by Bruce Ferguson Inaugural Address by Qubad Talabani Conversation with the President Reviving Public Trust: A Necessity Returning to Prominence: Perspectives on Iraq’s Re-emerging Regional Role Charting Iraq’s Political Future Protecting Stability: The Role of Governance Balancing Priorities: Iraq’s Evolving Relationship with International Powers Reflections and Lessons Learned Regional Economic Integration: Trade, Infrastructure, and Energy Financing Growth: Foreign Investment and the Private Sector Ensuring Religious Diversity in Iraq Spotlight on Water Resources Building Iraq’s Future: Education, Youth, and Employment The New Geopolitics: Iraq, the Middle East, and the World

About IRIS & AUIS The Sulaimani Forum is organized by the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS), an Iraqbased research center housed at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), Iraq’s only fully independent, not-for-profit, American-style institution of higher learning. Through multidisciplinary research, strategic partnerships, and regular events featuring experts and leaders, IRIS examines the most complex issues facing the Kurdish Region, Iraq, and the Middle East.

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SULAIMANI FORUM The Sulaimani Forum convenes high-level officials, corporate leaders, and experts to discuss the most pressing issues facing Iraq and the Middle East region. The Forum provides an annual opportunity to bring together the main stakeholders in regional affairs for strategic policy conversations, with the aim of generating blueprints for transformative and lasting change in the Middle East and North Africa.

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6TH SULAIMANI FORUM

DAY ONE

Welcome

Christine van den Toorn Executive Director of External Relations and Policy American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS)

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Christine van den Toorn, Executive Director of External Relations and Policy at AUIS, welcomed distinguished guests to the sixth annual Sulaimani Forum. She expressed her gratitude for the attendance of so many returning guests as well as new faces, all of whom have continued to enhance the quality of the Forum year after year.

Finally, she noted that the title of the Forum was not pushed to include ‘Daesh’, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) this year, as Iraq was exiting that dark period of history. ‘Iraq and its Neighbors: Towards a New Regional Order’ would instead focus the conversation on the present and future of Iraq’s trade, security, and diplomatic relationships.

One positive step, to say the least, is that we did not have to include ISIS or Daesh in the title of this year’s Forum.

Opening Remarks

Bruce Walker Ferguson President of American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) Bruce Walker Ferguson, President of AUIS, began by thanking Ms. van den Toorn, the IRIS staff, and all of the faculty and staff at AUIS for their work in preparing the Forum. He extended special thanks to Iraqi President H.E. Barham Salih, the founder of the University, and credited his vision for excellence in higher education at AUIS and across Iraq as a whole. He also thanked Dr. Jill Derby, the Director of AUIS’s Board of Trustees, as well as other Trustees and international guests for joining the Forum to help seek solutions to the complex problems facing the region. As AUIS is a not-for-profit university with a public mission, it is the ideal place to welcome such a Forum, he added. The diverse staff and student body of the University presents a positive vision for developing good students, citizens, and friends.

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Our university is dedicated to bringing people together to teach, to learn, to discover, to create, and to solve problems.

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DAY ONE

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DAY ONE

Inaugural Address

Qubad Talabani Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) After greeting the audience and sharing his appreciation for the dedication of all staff at AUIS and IRIS for hosting the annual Sulaimani Forum, Mr. Qubad Talabani, the Deputy Prime Minister of the KRG, emphasized the significance of the Forum in fostering an atmosphere that allowed international delegations, Iraqi politicians, experts, public officials, civil society organizations, journalists, students, and all those who are concerned about solving regional and global crises to come together. He credited this dynamic and its continuity to the long term vision and brilliance of Dr. Barham Salih, the President of the Republic of Iraq. Noting that last year’s unfortunate political and security situation made it impossible for the Forum to be held, he looked to this year’s Forum and the improved situation in Iraq as a cause for great hope. The issues discussed during this forum, he stated, will be redirected to experts to formulate strategic plans that can accelerate the development of Iraq.

Talabani contended that the major challenges to face the Iraqi state and the KRG are not a result of geopolitical disputes among global superpowers, but rather the gap between citizen expectations of government and the harsh reality of people’s lives. While it is the duty of both governments to strengthen their relations with the outside world, the improvement of domestic governance is the priority. While the ISIS war and the economic crisis have weakened Iraq and exhausted its people, there are opportunities on the horizon. Two newly formed governments in the KRG and Iraq, the restored relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the changes in political structure, the dissolving of old alliances and the formation of new and hybrid alliances, are all

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new occasions that have brought back hope to the people – but with greater expectations that both the federal and regional governments must realize. Both governments have two options: Either conform to the old ways of governance, which have only brought destruction and sorrow to the people, or pave the way for a new order of governance – one based on cooperation and solution focused. The latter is mandatory for the recuperation of health, education, and other public sectors – improving both the standard of living across the country and people’s trust in their leadership.

However, all of this is ‘easier said than done.’ Therefore, the Forum must serve as an opportunity to develop solutions to challenges that have a direct impact on the daily lives of Iraqi and KRG citizens. Furthermore, the scope of such discussions must take into account subjects that are not typically made top priorities during political meetings – such as fostering women’s participation in government for the sake of a stronger society and economy.

Talabani stated that the ‘male clubs’ of politics have to be opened up to female leadership. The country must seriously engage with conversations about gender inequality, sexual harassment and abuses in the workplace, as well as other violations against women’s rights.

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Conversation with the President His Excellency Dr. Barham Salih President of the Republic of Iraq With

Mina Al-Oraibi Editor-in-Chief, The National

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Interviewer:

Mina Al-Oraibi Editor-in-Chief, The National Al-Oraibi began the interview by questioning the regional security situation. She cited a report by the United States Ministry of Defense which stated that ISIS was in the process of re-mobilization as well as potentially planning future attacks within Iraq. She also inquired about the Kuwait International Conference for the reconstruction of Iraq, which mobilized USD 30 billion in international support. Despite these promised funds, there were many areas that were still very much in need of reconstruction and development, such as Mosul, Anbar, and Salahadin. She inquired about arrangements in place to invest in the reconstruction of these critical regions. The rest of her questions touched on the issues of corruption, the nature of stabilization and security initiatives, and the role Iraq will assume in the context of the tension between Iran and the United States (US).

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DAY ONE

Conversation with the President

Dr. Barham Salih President of the Republic of Iraq President Salih began by thanking Al-Oraibi for her dedication to Iraq’s improvement. He then commented on how Iraq was often perceived by the international community as a playground for competing interests and conflicts. Salih insisted that this depiction should not be the overwhelming narrative of the country. There are many possibilities for growth and development that are manifested in the ambitions of Iraqis both within and outside of the country. He cited Al-Oraibi herself as an example. Salih went on to discuss the security situation, stating that the defeat of ISIS was an impressive victory to be claimed by both citizens and the military. However, there are still ISIS cells operating in Syria and Iraq, and thus it is important not to underestimate the challenges that lie ahead.

The newly formed government must – among other priorities – address the issue of reconstruction with urgency. Despite the victory over ISIS, there is still much work to be done, including facilitating the return of the internally displaced (IDPs) to their homes and reinstating basic services in newly liberated areas.

The citizens of Mosul and other parts of Iraq that were devastated

by ISIS are entitled to hold their leaders accountable for the reconstruction. Despite the diverse political landscape of Iraq, the current government is committed to prioritizing this process. This will not be made possible, he explained, if the issue of corruption is not taken seriously. He connected the issues of corruption and the provision of access to services as the foci of the current administration.

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He further touched on the political landscape in Iraq that has shifted beyond identity politics and sectarianism.

Iraqi citizens are exercising their right to hold leaders accountable, regardless of which sect or religion they belong. The people of Iraq are striving to live their lives with dignity, with all that this entails, and it is up to the government to make sure that these legitimate expectations are met. Moreover, it is in the best interest of neighboring countries to see Iraq realized as a successful nation because instability within Iraq also affects regional stability. Strengthening ties with neighboring countries can eventually lead to a network of infrastructure and transportation that connects Iraq to the Gulf, Turkey, and Iran. This will increase job creation and decrease levels of youth unemployment, not only in Iraq, but all neighboring countries. In addition, Iraq could ultimately find itself in the position of peacemaker between regional countries, as opposed to a battleground for competing interests.

Responding to the tension between the US and Iran, President Salih confirmed that the presence of US military agents in Iraq has been approved by the government of Iraq for the sole purpose of training the Iraqi military.

The US is an ally, and has been immensely helpful in the fight against ISIS. However, the victory that has been achieved is still fragile, and thus, while Iraq will do its best to mitigate the tensions between the two nations, it will not allow itself to be pulled into a proxy war. Instead, Iraq is focused on breaking through the political gridlock that prevents the country from executing its core functions for Iraqi citizens. He concluded by drawing on the hope that Iraqi youth would inherit a better Iraq than that of previous generations, despite the challenges ahead.

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Corruption is the political economy that drives and enables violence.

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Reviving Public Trust: A Necessity Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq

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Reviving Public Trust: A Necessity

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Hennis-Plasschaert spoke of how decades of conflict have had a deep and damaging impact on the country, forcing many Iraqis to make great sacrifices. Ethnic tensions and internal political strife have added to conflicts between Iraqi citizens and their political representatives. She underscored that the formation of the Iraqi government remains incomplete in both Baghdad and Erbil, also highlighting that parliamentary committees have yet to begin the vast work ahead.

Against this context, she asked, how could the Iraqi people be blamed for being disillusioned and distrustful of the government? She stated that leadership failures and the rise of violence were closely connected.

Community groups, youth, minority groups, and especially women, need to be able to participate in bridging these societal divides.

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The President rightly pointed out that this wonderful country has great qualifications, but one can certainly not deny that the road to well-deserved sustainable stability in Iraq will be long and far from easy.

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DAY ONE

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Continuing to alienate women and youth is a mistake that the country cannot afford. Despite these shortcomings, Hennis-Plasschaert commended the 2018 elections, noting that for the first time the major political parties in the elections reflected the diversity of and within Iraq. The sectarian divides of the past were largely replaced with cross-sectarian political alliances due to the drive for a national narrative.

That being said, she also mentioned that half of the voting population decided not to cast a ballot in the elections, revealing the widespread distrust of the government›s ability to meet their expectations. The Special Representative lamented that despite the hundreds of millions of dollars of aid and Iraq’s immense hydrocarbon wealth, millions of Iraqis remain poor. She attributed the gap between the country’s growth domestic product (GDP) and socioeconomic well-being to corruption. In order to bolster and sustain international aid and investment, Iraq needs to comprehensively deal with this endemic problem. The interests of the nation must rise above individual enrichment.

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Returning to Prominence: Perspectives on Iraq’s Re-emerging Regional Role Moderator:

Najwa Qassem Lebanese journalist and anchor for Al-Arabiya

Speakers:

Ayad Allawi Former Vice President of Iraq, Council of Arab & International Affairs

Fouad Siniora Former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Council of Arab & International Affairs

Amr Moussa Former Secretary General of the Arab League, AUIS Board of Trustees

Amin Gemmayel Former President of Lebanon, Council of Arab & International Affairs

Taher Al Masri Former Prime Minster of Jordan, Council of Arab & International Affairs 21

DAY ONE

Returning to Prominence: Perspectives on Iraq’s Re-emerging Regional Role

Moderator: Najwa Qassem Lebanese journalist and anchor for Al-Arabiya.

Qassem opened the panel discussion by emphasizing the long history that Iraq enjoyed as a cultural hub, quoting the famous Iraqi poet, Al-Jawahiri. While the country has been a home to immense religious diversity, it has in recent history been characterized by violence. It is within this context that she asked, where is Iraq now, and where is it headed, directing this question specifically to Ayad Allawi, Former Prime Minister of Iraq.

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Ayad Allawi Former Vice President of Iraq,Council of Arab & International Affairs Allawi argued that the current administration must address the divisions created by sectarianism, fostering a spirit of patriotism and unity among Iraqi citizens, especially considering the distrust between different communities in the aftermath of ISIS. This should not only take precedence nationally but also regionally, as Iraq can position itself as a mediator and peacemaker in the region. This bridge-building is possible because of Iraq’s unique geopolitical position. Iraq can further be an ally to neighboring countries lacking in natural resources, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria.

While Iraq must be ready to adapt to shifting power structures in the region and on the world stage, paving the way for new partnerships could help stabilize the region.

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The Iraqi government needs to encourage the narrative of patriotism and unity among its citizens, not the narrative of division and sectarianism.

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Fouad Siniora Former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Council of Arab & International Affairs Siniora opened by praising Iraq for its wealth, in terms of both its natural resources and diverse population.

Iraq can play an important role of regional leadership, he said. It is not only in the best interest of Iraqi citizens and the Iraqi government, but also for the Arab world, as it could help foster regional peace. He went on to share the experiences of his first official visit to Baghdad as Prime Minister of Lebanon eleven years ago. During this visit, he had expressed his support for Iraq’s leadership in the region and hope that all citizens of the Arab world could feel a sense of belonging to Baghdad. Instead however, Iraq has endured the disastrous consequences of regional and internal tensions, which have prevented the country from moving forward and building national unity. The current government has a lot of work to do in order to gain back the trust of its people, namely tackling the issue of corruption.

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Corruption is far more than accepting a bribe.

At its core, corruption is political - it is the commodification of politics and the debasing of governmental entities for the gain of select groups or individuals.

Amr Moussa Former Secretary General of the Arab League, AUIS Board of Trustees

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The conversation surrounding Iraq, and the Arab World in general, cannot occur without factoring in Kurdistan.

Moussa maintained that Iraq has long been a cultural and political pillar in the Middle East, though its current role and partnerships in the region should be strengthened. On the question of the KRG, Moussa expressed his support for the open communication and constructive relations between the central government and the regional government. The conversation surrounding Iraq, and the Arab world in general, cannot occur without the inclusion of the KRG. In order to foster prosperity, we must ensure peaceful co-existence between the diverse ethnic and religious communities inside Iraq and across the region. Despite the difficulties faced across the Arab world, each nation must demonstrate a commitment to move forward within the regional context and with a clear vision for the future. Finally, while Iraq is a prominent nation in the Middle East, it is important to face its significant challenges, the largest among them being sectarianism.

How is it acceptable that there is still conflict between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims, he asked. Iraq belongs to all of its citizens, and the endemic power-grabbing should not be allowed to continue. Tackling sectarianism must be the starting point for the current Iraqi government, the KRG, and international partners.

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Amin Gemmayel Former President of Lebanon, Council of Arab & International Affairs Gemmayel began by saying that he was reassured by the bridge-building between the various communities in Iraq. However, he noted the serious challenges remaining. The rich array of religion and culture across Iraq and the Arab world are not being used for their strategic advantage, as diversity can pave the way for creative enterprise. Instead, difference is being distorted in order to incite violence.

He advised that the solution to this lies in the civic education of the youth, as well as through addressing Iraq’s complicated geopolitical position. He went on to address foreign interference in the country’s politics, citing the US and Iran as examples. It is important that Arab countries refuse any destabilizing and negative interference in their internal affairs, and instead focus on fostering positive alliances and partnerships.

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Good governance is the foundation of nationbuilding and citizen-building. It is a prerequisite for progress and development, as well as the self-determination of any nation.

Taher Al Masri Former Prime Minster of Jordan, Council of Arab & International Affairs Al Masri opened by acknowledging the challenges that Iraq has faced over several decades. The great value of Iraq lies in its history, land, people, and cultural heritage, he said.

Therefore, the discussion should focus on Iraq regaining its role, not on creating a new one.

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The value of the role that Iraq plays lies in its history, its land, its people, and its cultural heritage.

Iraq can be an example to other Arab countries through taking stock of its history and holding itself accountable.

Many Arab nations are focused on consolidating authority through their institutions, rather than on building good governance, civic and democratic institutions, and principles. Diversity needs to be taken into account and given representation inside Iraq and across the region. He concluded by arguing for a political framework in Iraq that will benefit all of its constituents, regardless of ethnic or religious background.

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Charting Iraq’s Political Future Speakers:

Mushriq Abbas Founder and Director of Nas News

Sayyid Ammar Al Hakim Head of the Al-Hikma National Movement

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DAY ONE

Charting Iraq’s Political Future

Mushriq Abbas Founder and Director of Nas News Abbas stated that in the aftermath of the victory against ISIS, there was an expectation that a transitional period would begin, in which a vision would be formulated for both Iraq and the wider region. Some argue that there has been a setback or a lapse in moving forward after such a defeat, while others have contended that the very existence and make-up of the new administration is itself a manifestation of a vision for Iraq. Among the many points raised, Abbas asked whether the Iraqi youth could ever lend their support to the government after so many disappointments. Moreover, he questioned the capacity of established politicians to forego their agendas in order to formulate platforms that promote the interests of the youth and the nation as a whole.

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Sayyid Ammar Al Hakim Head of the Al-Hikma National Movement Al-Hakim stated that Iraq today is fundamentally different from Iraq as it was in 2003. It is demographically different, with 49 percent of the population under the age of ,18 70 percent under the age of 35, and 90 percent under the age of 50. It is also distinct on a social level, with new generations shaping the social narrative through their own ambitions, points of view, goals, and priorities.

However, it is surprising that many university students had little interest in the history or the politics of Iraq. He argued that the younger generations should be invited to participate in this conversation in a way that appeals to them. The current administration has to take seriously the demands and expectations of its people, prioritizing their hopes and aspirations over narrow political interests and slogans.

However, he acknowledged that there are many areas to be hopeful about, including the inclusive engagement of the different political factions in reconstruction, as well as the emphasis on infrastructure. Iraqi Kurds must actively participate in this process. In addition, Iraq can play an important role in strengthening regional ties as many countries want to support a ‘new Iraq’ (Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt). Opening the lines of communication between these countries could provide a framework for other nations in the region to follow suit.

Therefore it is important to support and champion the strength of the new Iraq, which can play a central role in lifting the prospects of the entire region.

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The current administration has to take seriously the demands and expectations of its people, especially the youth, and prioritizing them over political interests and slogans.

Al-Hakim argued that it is too early to determine whether the credibility of this current administration needs to be questioned, and that so far all signs seem to be pointing in the right direction. That being said, the government will face questions and opposition this summer if it fails to provide proper access to water and electricity. This is the entry point into gaining the people’s trust and confidence that other more complex services will be provided to them as well, he said.

However, he warned that unless political figures adjust to accommodate the growing demands and ambitions of the youth, they run the risk of becoming obsolete. Leaders have one of two options, either to maintain the status quo or to create inclusive spaces to accommodate the concerns of the youth.

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Protecting Stability: The Role of Governance Moderator:

Peter Bergen Vice President for Global Studies and Fellows, New America

Speakers:

Denise Natali Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations for the US Department of State

Qusay Suhail Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Iraq

Yara Salem Special Representative for the World Bank in Iraq

Ramon Blecua Former EU Ambassador to Iraq

Toby Fyfe President of the Institute on Governance 32

DAY ONE

Protecting Stability: The Role of Governance

Moderator: Peter Bergen Vice President for Global Studies and Fellows, New America This panel discussion was moderated by Peter Bergen, British-American journalist and author, who currently serves as CNN’s National Security Analyst, and New America’s Vice President. One of his most notable achievements was the production of the first television interview with Osama bin Laden in 1997. He started off the panel by giving the panelists five minutes for opening remarks before turning to each of them with questions.

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Denise Natali Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations for the US Department of State

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ISIS has committed great crimes against humanity, and there has been much progress made by Iraqi security forces, by Kurdish peshmerga, by the Hashd al Shaabi in liberating territories controlled by ISIS and in addressing some of these atrocities.

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Natali began by underscoring the US approach to stabilization. She emphasized that while ISIS had committed heinous crimes against humanity, great progress had been made by Iraq’s security forces in order to liberate areas previously controlled by ISIS. For the US, a top priority is to ensure the defeat of ISIS and support the return of IDPs back to their homes, mentioning that the US had provided Iraq with USD 2.5 billion since 2014.

Moreover, since 2015, the US has helped destroy or clear over 76,000 square meters of weapons inside Iraq. Noting an outstanding US initiative is to address the issue of persecuted minorities in the Nineveh plains, Natali argued that while the provision of stabilization aid would continue, the manner of implementation would differ from past efforts.

The recent Stabilization and Assistance Review put a new framework and guidelines in place. Natali explained that this new approach was informed by past US policy failures in Afghanistan. Stabilization would no longer be centered around large reconstruction projects. Instead, US stabilization efforts would consist of targeted efforts in collaboration with local partners and the central government.

Qusay Suhail Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Iraq Suhail highlighted the challenges facing the current administration. The first being the balance required between establishing security and enabling the economic growth of the country, as well as integrating the development of both security and economic sectors. This process is underway in Baghdad, with several factors to be taken into account.

Firstly, the prosecution of foreign ISIS fighters currently in custody will involve cooperating and communicating with other governments. The second challenge pertains to the generational gaps in the population of Iraq and the different priorities of these demographic groups. Noting that the three wars his generation has witnessed not only caused significant damage to the infrastructure of the country, but also to the psyche of its people.

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[Neighboring or Arab countries] can prove to be agents of stability within Iraq.

The third challenge is to navigate the shifting trends and alliances that are made on political and economic levels, as well as in terms of ideology and sectarian identities.

Sectarian strife has long been a point of contention for past administrations, but there must be tangible solutions proposed by the current administration to help bridge the divide. The most pressing priority, he argued, is establishing or resuming projects to build infrastructure, which would lead to job creation and the reduction of unemployment.

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Yara Salem Special Representative for the World Bank in Iraq Salem emphasized that empowering the private sector is essential in order to tailor stabilization efforts in different parts of the country. Recovery and reconstruction, she argued, could not be put off until stabilization was fully achieved. Therefore, the World Bank would continue to work with the Iraqi government and the international community on five initiatives. The first goal is to create private sector jobs in construction and agriculture, as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the short term.

The second is to develop the human capital of Iraq’s youth, with special emphasis on education, health, and social protection. The third seeks to provide social services, particularly electricity and water. The fourth supports building transparency and accountability within banking and state-owned enterprise. The final goal is the management of Iraq’s wealth from gas, oil, and agriculture. None of these initiatives will succeed without robust deadlines and accountability mechanisms, she contended.

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We see the private sector, with entrepreneurship, at the heart [of stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction]. We need to find a way to do these things in parallel because we cannot wait for stabilization before we begin with recovery and reconstruction.

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Ramon Blecua Former EU Ambassador to Iraq Blecua noted that Iraq is a rich country but whose citizens often lack basic social services. Internal strife and terrorism, sanctions, and foreign intervention have had terrible outcomes for the Iraqi people.

On the other hand, Iraq has witnessed incredibly successful humanitarian operations, including those that enabled millions of IDPs to return to their cities of origin with remarkably low levels of violence.

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Internal strife, terrorism, sanctions, [and] foreign intervention have taken a terrible toll on the Iraqi population, but [Iraq] is also where one of the most remarkably successful humanitarian operations have taken place.

International actors need to present novel solutions to the country’s problems that are resultsoriented, as well as flexible enough to incorporate new challenges. Nevertheless, while there are reasons for concern, Blecua argued that there are a greater number of reasons to be hopeful.

Iraq could serve as a model in the region as few countries can claim to have absorbed as many violent events and destructive political dynamics, yet retain such a vibrant and democratic political framework. Iraq proves that there is hope for democratic alternatives in the Arab world.

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Toby Fyfe President of the Institute on Governance Fyfe highlighted the Institute on Governance’s commitment to promoting stability in Iraq. He agreed with H.E Dr. Barham Salih’s previous comments that two central issues remain: The first is to foster good governance and the second is doing so within the context of a civic state. He further argued that stability was strengthened by citizen trust, itself an outcome of good governance. Referencing Canada’s federal model, there are a number of principles to keep in mind when power is transferred from the central government to the provinces. The first concerns legitimacy; when citizens accept the legitimacy of the government and are willing to accepts its decisions even if they do not agree with them. The second principle is related to the direction and purpose of government policy pertaining to decisions made when implementing decentralization. The third concerns the provision of social services, without which the federal system is at risk. The fourth principle demands transparency and accountability from the government. Finally, citizens can make demands and have expectations of their government. The advancement of these five principles requires significant back and forth between Iraqis working at the national and local levels. Fyfe concluded that ultimately, institutions need to have fiscal authority and the skills required in order to promote and implement constructive change.

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The principle [of] subsidiarity [...] says that, essentially, decision-making should be at the level of government that most directly impacts citizens

Balancing Priorities: Iraq’s Evolving Relationship with International Powers Moderator:

Robin Wright Joint Fellow at United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the Woodrow Wilson International Center (WWC), and Contributing Writer for the New Yorker

Speakers:

John Wilks Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Iraq

Andrew Peek Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran, US Department of State

Laith Kubba Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq

Falah Mustafa Head of Foreign Relations for the KRG

Hakem Takim Director General of South Asia in the Turkish Foreign Ministry

Ebtisam Al Ketbi President of the Emirates Policy Center 39

DAY ONE

Balancing Priorities: Iraq’s Evolving Relationship with International Powers

Moderator: Robin Wright Joint Fellow at United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the Woodrow Wilson International Center (WWC), and Contributing Writer for the New Yorker This panel discussion was moderated by Robin Wright, a foreign affairs analyst and journalist, who has reported from 140 countries on six continents, winning the National Magazine Award for her work with the New Yorker. Her book, Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion across the Islamic World, won the 2012 Overseas Press Club Award for Best Book on International Affairs. She also won the United Nation’s Correspondents Association Gold Medal for coverage of foreign affairs and the National Press Club Award.

Wright opened by expressing her gratitude to be at the Sulaimani Forum once again with its rich variety of participants. She started off the discussion by introducing the panelists and pushing them to go beyond platitudes and to instead draw out the specifics that concern Iraq and its place in the region. Iraq has the potential to be a bridge between the Arab World, the Gulf, and the Mediterranean. As a melting pot of ethnicities and ethnic groups, the country is also located in an important and strategic geographical position, with many competing interests and influences.

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John Wilks Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Iraq Wilks began by stating that the past year had seen a positive turn in Iraq’s development whereby the country is returning to the international scene. Iraqis should be proud of the fact that for the first time in 15 years, they have a Speaker of the Parliament, a Foreign Minister, a Prime Minister, and a President working together to further a democratic vision of Iraq in the region and in the world. Nonetheless, he cautioned that the Iraqi government should carefully implement a balanced foreign policy towards powerful neighbors such as Turkey and Iran, and also towards large international actors, such as the US, China, Russia, and other European countries. Achieving this equilibrium will be difficult, he said. For Iraq, failure to obtain balance between the US and Iran in particular could jeopardize the diplomatic progress that the country has made over the past six months. One problem specifically is that since the US has imposed sanctions on Iran, there is an atmosphere of confrontation. This places Iraq in the difficult position of maintaining a good relationship with the US without being too threatening towards Iran. This also means that Iraq has to be careful not to serve as Iran’s proxy for interventions into Syria and the rest of the Middle East region. He concluded by arguing that the only way to achieve this balance was to be very clear on what Iraqi national interest is and what criteria is needed to further it, as well as identifying what other countries could do to advance this.

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All Iraqis ought to feel extremely proud [...] that they have for the first time in the last fifteen years a President, a Prime Minister, a Speaker of the Parliament, and Foreign Minister who work together and present an Iraqi view of Iraqi interest to the region and the world.

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Andrew Peek Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran, US Department of State Peek underscored that Iraq is one of the only bipartisan foreign policy concerns for both parties in the US government, with both Republicans and Democrats sharing a commitment to Iraq’s success. Like Wilks, he was encouraged by last year’s elections, in which Iraqis voted across sectarian lines and the elections were followed by a peaceful transfer of power. There is a substantial willingness among the international community to invest in Iraq’s future. However, this depends on the Iraqi government’s policies towards certain conditions that range from facilitating business transactions and opportunities to making it easier to acquire an Iraqi visa.

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Virtually alone in the Middle East, [Iraq] is the bipartisan American foreign policy concern.

Everyone wants Iraq to be successful.

A further prerequisite for US support, while acknowledging that Iran and Iraq would have a relationship, was dependent on Iraq not being used as a playground for outside powers such as Iran.

The policy aim of the US government is for Iraq to function as a self-sufficient nation and he expressed his belief that Iraq is closer to achieving this vision than ever before.

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Laith Kubba Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq Kubba opened by highlighting that as he is an independent advisor to the Prime Minister, his views were entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Iraqi government. He responded to Peek by pointing to the history of Iraq-Iran relations that added weight to the current complex situation. The way forward for Iraq, however, lies in strengthening the Iraqi state itself. It is not in the country’s interests to be a diluted or shadow state that lacks robust institutions, such as a weak parliament. The current rise in Iraqi nationalism is a response to the state’s limited capacity, but also reveals the population’s will to play an active role in the region. The horizons of Iraqis are broadening and people are not resorting to violence to achieve their political aims. The differences in the political and cultural fabric of Iraq can be a source of strength, not weakness, with the country’s different communities being able to serve as the bridges to their neighbors. He argued that the Prime Minister is a shrewd politician who is capable of balancing many interests. In conclusion, if there was a cure or solution to the religious extremism that has divided the region and the world in recent years, it should come from Iraq, where Sunnis, Shias, and Sufis have coexisted peacefully for hundreds for years.

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Iraq has the capacity to contribute to the region independently as a country; it has strong cultural, economic, and security ties to the region, it wants to become an active actor in the region.

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Falah Mustafa Head of Foreign Relations for the KRG Mustafa in contrast with other panelists expressed his own feelings of caution, stressing that what Iraq has achieved remains fragile.

A major challenge lies in finding solutions between Erbil and Baghdad, based on the constitution. While the constitution does not present answers to all of the challenges ahead, solutions must be found. The KRG has always sought a balanced relationship between Iran, Turkey, and the US, based on mutual respect and understanding, he said. Improving the relationship between the KRG and the central government is further in the best interest of all Iraqis and the wider region. In addition, despite the importance of the KRG’s relationship with Turkey and Iran, they should not compromise their relationship with Baghdad.

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We have always wanted a balanced relationship based on mutual respect and understanding, and mutual benefits.

Hakem Takim Director General of South Asia in the Turkish Foreign Ministry Takim began by stating that Iraq is a very important ally for Turkey and that they shared a mutually beneficial relationship, highlighting their strong economic partnership.

Regarding security, if Iraq faces instability then Turkey suffers as well. This is especially true when it comes to fighting terrorism, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), whose bases Iraq is aware of. It is therefore important for Ankara to support their vision of Iraq as a safe and prosperous country. The fundamental challenge, he said, is to strengthen Iraq’s institutions which have been eroded through decades of war. Turkey perceives Iraq as a microcosm of the Middle East with its diverse ethnic makeup. Therefore, if Iraq can become a successful nation, it can be an example for the region as a whole.

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The fundamental thing is the need to further strengthen the Iraqi national institutions, and to strengthen the ownership of the country among the Iraqi citizens.

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Ebtisam Al Ketbi President of the Emirates Policy Center Al Ketbi argued that the Gulf region was prevented from being deeply involved in the country following the invasion of Iraq in 2003. However, the staunch support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for nation states naturally dictates that it would like to see Iraq stable, both institutionally and in terms of civil society. A nation cannot exist without civil society, she said. Iraq should not be a follower as Iran would like, rather than a genuine partner. However, Iran was not interested in Iraq’s development as a strong nation or in a stable relationship between the two countries. Al Ketbi concluded by saying that Iraq must heal itself and its population first before it can attempt to foster mutually beneficial relationships with neighboring states.

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You cannot build a nation without civil society.

Reflections and Lessons Learned Jane Arraf Senior Correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR)

H.E Haidar Al Abadi Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq

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DAY ONE

Reflections and Lessons Learned

Jane Arraf Senior Correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR) Iraq Jane Arraf is NPR’s Middle East Correspondent. She previously worked with Al Jazeera English, Christian Science Monitor, and served as CNN’s Baghdad Bureau Chief and Senior Correspondent. During the Iraq war, she covered the battles for Falluja, Samarra, and Tel Afar and was the only television correspondent embedded with the American forces fighting the Mahdi army in Najaf in 2004. Arraf headed CNN’s first permanent Baghdad bureau in 1998 and, for several years, was the only Western correspondent permanently based in the Iraqi capital. During this conversation with H.E Haidar Al Abbadi, former Prime Minister of Iraq, she asked him to share some of his experiences in leading the fight against ISIS. In particular, Ms. Arraf asked him about the liberation of Mosul, what should be done about the detained foreign fighters, and countermeasures against corruption in Iraq, among other topics.

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H.E Haidar Al Abadi Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Al Abadi began by reminding the audience that patriotism was at an all-time low at the beginning of his tenure, largely resulting from the threat of ISIS. There was little confidence in the security forces due to a perceived lack of combat experience and even less hope that ISIS would be defeated.

Many political leaders believed the group would persist for another ten years. However, these predictions proved wrong.

Though the military campaign benefitted from the assistance of foreign nations, Iraqi armed forces provided all of the ground troops in the successful elimination of ISIS. This was an Iraqi victory, by and for Iraqi citizens, including the Kurds. During the liberation of Nineveh, for example, Kurdish Peshmerga forces were significantly involved. It was a sign of progress that no incidents transpired between the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces.

Moreover, every effort was made to prevent civilian casualties in Mosul and civilian mortality was consequently low, a point that Arraf questioned. Al Abadi closed by commenting on his unsuccessful re-election campaign. In the nine months prior to the election, he had exercised caution in order to avoid being accused of placing election politics over the needs of the people. However, he had worked behind the scenes to deliver a stronger Iraq than the one he had inherited to the succeeding Prime Minister.

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There was no confidence that ISIS would be eliminated, and people in positions of authority held the opinion that the threat would persist for another ten years.

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Regional Economic Integration: Trade, Infrastructure, and Energy Moderator:

Peter Wonacott Middle East Editor at The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

Speakers:

Tariq Hammouri Minister of Trade, Industry, and Supply for Jordan

Luay Al Khateeb Minister of Electricity for the Federal Government of Iraq

Saleh Jabbouri Minister of Industry for the Federal Government of Iraq 50

DAY ONE

Regional Economic Integration: Trade, Infrastructure, and Energy

Moderator: Peter Wonacott Middle East Editor at The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Wonacott moderated the final panel of the first day of the 2019 Sulaimani Forum. Prior to becoming the Middle East Editor for WSJ, he served as WSJ’s Africa Bureau Chief and Dow Jones Newswires from 2010 to 2015. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Wonacott served as the Senior Correspondent for South Asia for WSJ. He opened by emphasizing that trade integration would be at the center of the discussion. Whether in Europe, Africa, or Asia, it is widely agreed upon that trade integration can boost a nation’s growth, create jobs, and provide opportunities for youth. Yet the Middle East’s economies are less integrated than most, as they are fragmented by blockades, conflict zones, and a lack of investment. He exhorted the panel to navigate the way to offer solutions for Iraq.

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Tariq Hammouri Minister of Trade, Industry, and Supply for Jordan Hammouri explained that the region has suffered from decades of conflict and crises, the latest of which was the devastating wave of terrorism. This has weakened and strained the regional economy, preventing development and causing regression. Such consequences were compounded by several factors and events; the Arab Spring, heavier restrictions on borders, and the war against terror, among others. In light of this, the region would struggle to make headway in terms of development and instead see rising levels of unemployment and poverty, as well as poor access to education. Such a reality would prove to be a fertile ground for indoctrination into extremist groups, leading to further instability in the region, and making it a pressing matter to be dealt with on the global stage. Therefore, networks and mechanisms should be established to ensure economic stability and opportunities that the citizens of countries most impacted by instability and violence can benefit from, as well as to promote better access to education and employment.

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It is important that networks and mechanisms be established to ensure economic opportunities that citizens can benefit from, as well as ensure access to education and employment

Luay Al Khateeb Minister of Electricity for the Federal Government of Iraq Al Khateeb began by stating that economic and energy development inside Iraq requires regional involvement in terms of both trade and infrastructure, as well as developing a promising Middle East market for the energy trade. Iraq’s geographical position is crucial, especially in relation to electricity, as it provides an opportunity for collaboration and business generation with neighboring countries. This goes beyond Iraq’s need to provide electricity to all citizens, and can enhance the socio-political connections that Iraq has enjoyed in the past. In both the near and distant future, he hopes that Iraq would work with its neighbors to create a competitive energy market in the Middle East, leading to economic growth and stability for all, as well as a significant political role for Iraq. Investment opportunities in Iraq are promising, as the energy sector requires a lot of investment for infrastructure support, which foreign companies can provide. Here, he clarifies that he is not referring to the production of energy but rather the equitable distribution of energy.

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Without developing the infrastructure on the transmission and distribution system, turning the whole distribution system into a smart grid, and putting an end to human intervention in managing financial aspects, it’s going to be quite impossible to resurrect this sector from the ashes.

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International actors need to present novel solutions to the country’s problems that are results-oriented, as well as flexible enough to incorporate new challenges.

Nevertheless, while there are reasons for concern, Blecua argued that there are a greater number of reasons to be hopeful. Iraq could serve as a model in the region as few countries can claim to have absorbed as many violent events and destructive political dynamics, yet retain such a vibrant and democratic political framework. Iraq proves that there is hope for democratic alternatives in the Arab world.

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Saleh Jabbouri Minister of Industry for the Federal Government of Iraq Jabbouri argued for the need to strengthen the federal budget in Iraq, adding that trade negotiations and agreements with Jordan had already begun. There are many opportunities to pursue partnerships, such as in the oil business. However, the circumstances in which investment can legally take place are complicated and often not encouraging to investors. Despite that, he stated that Iraq was open to investment opportunities. Responding to Wonacott›s question regarding the readiness of Iraq to compete with other countries regionally, he said that Iraqi companies were not in a strong position. Local companies are competing with imported goods, and there is also a reduction in local production and a lack of consumer confidence towards local goods, though important monitoring and quality controls are in place.

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The economic interests of countries within the region need to be discussed within the framework of partnership, not within the framework of a winner-loser dynamic.

The industry sector stands to be an integral part of the federal budget, of which it previously contributed 17 percent. However, the reality today is that the industry sector is weakened, and the federal budget does not allow for the rehabilitation of factories and companies. Against this backdrop, he urged investors from different sectors to seek partnerships and investment opportunities in Iraq.

Iraq wants to establish sustainable economic partnerships with its neighbors, he added, which can contribute to stability in the region. Fostering this progress is the aim of the current administration.

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Financing Growth: Foreign Investment and the Private Sector Moderator:

Ahmad Tabaqchali Chief Investment Officer at Asia Frontier, Senior Fellow at IRIS

Grant Felgenhauer Euphrates Fund

Taha Abdulsalam Director, Iraq Stock Exchange

Shwan Taha Chairman of Rabee Securities, AUIS Board of Trustees

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6TH SULAIMANI FORUM

Financing Growth: Foreign Investment and the Private Sector

DAY TWO

Moderator: Ahmad Tabaqchali Chief Investment Officer at Asia Frontier, Senior Fellow at IRIS

Ahmad Tabaqchali is also a non-resident fellow at IRIS, serving as a board member of the Credit Bank of Iraq with over 25 years of experience in US and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets. He formerly served as the Executive Director of NBK Capital, the investment banking arm of the National Bank of Kuwait, as well as Managing Director and Head of International Sales at WR Hambrecht +Cp based in London, New York, and San Francisco.

Tabaqchali emphasized that the financial sector is rarely spoken about when considering the reconstruction of Iraq. In particular, capital markets and their positive role to raise or save capital are treated marginally. As a result, he was pleased to begin the second day of the conference with a panel that sought to address these issues.

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Grant Felgenhauer Euphrates Fund Felgenhauer began by saying that the Iraqi private sector needs growth and that it was common knowledge that the state payroll is overblown. However, until now there has been no conversation on this pressing need for private sector growth. He stressed that the Iraqi private sector needs to develop alone, absent from the directives of the central government, and that Iraq’s central challenge lies in capital formation and creation.

Iraq has oil revenue that enters the local economy and then is spent, leaving no multiplier in the local economy such as a self-sustaining capital cycle. There is an urgent need for a domestic capital market that can support foreign investment and develop a capital cycle.

An organic capital market, in which individuals and companies invest in the products or services of their choice, is ideal. Thankfully, he argued, Iraq’s financial problems are not intractable, and examples throughout history can positively illustrate how best to move forward.

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Iraq’s central challenge is capital formation and capital creation.

Taha Abdulsalam Director, Iraq Stock Exchange Abdulsalam agreed that the Iraqi Stock Exchange has faced many struggles in Iraq, within both the financial and banking systems. In fact, the entire economic system comes into play. Every country’s stock exchange has building capacities that go beyond trading systems. The regulations currently in place, which were made ten years ago, are dependent on trade. However, the items in the stock exchange only include shares for Iraqi companies.

Moreover, there are insufficient regulations to encourage and attract investment in Iraq’s economy and products. One challenge is custody, whereby both global and Iraqi banks would help each other to persuade foreigners and Iraqi expatriates to invest in the stock exchange. While there are many good relationships and partnerships with foreign banks, there is still no chain of custody.

Foreign banks struggle to put their trust in the Iraqi economy and stock exchange. Iraqi banks must say to foreign investors and banks that their securities and shares are safe, which is not currently the case as their relationship with global banks is weak. He argued that it is these global banks who must support the Iraq Stock Exchange to find solutions, which would not involve the implementation of large services or be costly.

However, there are other areas of the Iraqi economy to invest in, mainly the oil and gas sectors, which are equally significant.

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Till now, we don’t have many regulations that help us to encourage investors to invest in Iraq’s economy, products, and stock exchange.

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Shwan Taha Chairman of Rabee Securities, AUIS Board of Trustees Taha commented that Iraq has now reached the point where people, such as himself, must convince the government that capital markets and the stock exchange are important. Despite public discourse, there is no confidence in the private sector. The solutions are basic, with Iraq needing to form businesses which can be properly financed. Without financial backing, the economy is a body without a skeletal structure, without blood flow, and incapable of movement. He emphasized that no one in the executive branch of government has ever been involved in successful business endeavors under their own name, without the backing of political parties or wasta, meaning ‘connections’. Over politics, investment in the private sector is critical for progress and development in Iraq.

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We are reaching a point where we need to tell the government [of] the importance of the stock exchange, the importance of capital markets.

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Ensuring Religious Diversity in Iraq Moderator:

James ‘Mac’ Skelton Institute of Regional & International Studies (IRIS)

Stephanie Dobitsch Advisor to the Vice President of the United States for the Middle East

Hadi Baba Shaykh Representative of Baba Shaykh, a Yazidi Religious Leader

Sayyed Ziad Bahr Al Aloum Al Khoei Institute

William Warda Hammurabi Rights Organization 62

Ensuring Religious Diversity in Iraq

Moderator: James ‘Mac’ Skelton Institute of Regional & International Studies (IRIS) Skelton opened the discussion by commenting on US policy toward minority groups. He addressed the current US administration’s plans to provide aid and support to religious minorities, particularly in the Nineveh Plains. Any type of aid program runs the risk of creating tensions if it targets or favors certain religious minorities over others. He asked Stephanie Dobitsch, Advisor to the Vice President of the US for the Middle East, how the US planned to navigate this potential outcome.

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Issues related to minority politics in Iraq are important issues, and they are contentious issues [...] We have to think about these questions in ways that go beyond the standard generalizations.

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DAY TWO

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Stephanie Dobitsch Advisor to the Vice President of the United States for the Middle East Dobitsch responded to the moderator by acknowledging the need for equitable distribution of aid across different religious minorities. Over the past several years, the administration has made efforts to listen and respond to the needs of these communities. They have donated to large international organizations working in the reconstruction and restoration of areas in Iraq that were devastated by ISIS. More than USD two billion of aid has been directed towards Iraq over the past few years, and a new initiative by the Vice President has contributed USD 300 million specifically to persecuted, religious communities. Moreover, through direct interactions with people and organizations on the ground, the administration has more effectively distributed aid through NGOs and faith-based organizations. Dobitsch emphasized that the US was doing everything in its power to cooperate with international partners, including the European Union and the government of Iraq.

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Iraq is a role model in the region for religious pluralism, for religious diversity and inclusion...

And that’s what makes Iraq unique, not just a bridge in the Middle East and the region, but a bridge from the Middle East to the rest of the world

Hadi Baba Shaykh Representative of Baba Shaykh, a Yazidi Religious Leader

The Yazidis should have a seat at the table, along with all the demographic groups that make up the Iraqi population.

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Baba Shaykh stressed that Yazidis should have a seat at the table, along with all the demographic groups who make up the Iraqi population. In the context of the struggle that the community has faced, historically and at the hands of ISIS, peace for the Yazidis and for Iraq in general is essential. Justice must be served and ISIS members be held accountable for war crimes. Despite the horrors they have witnessed, the Yazidi community continues to seek reconciliation, forgiveness, and coexistence. This coexistence is at the heart of the faith, along with the sharing of burdens and joys experienced within the community or communities that the Yazidis find themselves in. However, the Yazidi community needs urgent political representation, as other minority groups who number less than those of the Yazidis have greater representation. He explained that even enrollment at the Military Academy and the Police Academy requires ‘connections’ for Yazidis. Moreover, there are no Yazidis serving as judges, with the exception of the retired Hakem Kassem. This discrimination is both religious and cultural, noting that the difference of language plays a role in aggravating prejudice. With that in mind, he has asked H.E President Barham Salih that Sinjar be nominated as a safe haven for Yazidis, since they make up more than 90 percent of its population.

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Sayyed Ziad Bahr Al Aloum Al Khoei Institute

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If one were to compare where we were four or five years ago to where we are now, there is no denying that considerable progress has been made.

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Al Aloum highlighted the work that Al Khoei Institute is doing to further inter-religious dialogue, through partnering with organizations, universities, and NGOs to hold workshops on diversity and conflict resolution. The barriers that must be overcome have only been a reality in Iraq’s recent history, partly due to policies in place as well as political rhetoric.

Despite this, and despite the tensions created by ISIS, there has been considerable progress in liberated areas.

For example, a delegation from Negev, made up of four religious clerics and three university professors, traveled to Anbar two months ago to meet with local civil society and religious leaders, as well as to lay the foundations for further collaboration. Similar visits are planned for Mosul, Salahadin, and Diyala. Despite considerable progress over the past four or five years, it is important to note that barriers do exist, both within Negev and elsewhere. Governmental actors are reluctant to provide sustainable help or take advantage of the opportunities that dialogue can provide.

Governmental programs, with similar aims to those of Al Khoei Institute, have not been successful for a multitude of reasons.

William Warda Hammurabi Rights Organization Warda stressed that new legislation should be passed and the law in place must be upheld. Despite the existence of Article 125, which stipulates the rights of minority groups in areas such as education and politics, there are no mechanisms in place to ensure their fulfilment. Bills have been put forth by the Hammurabi Rights Organization, such as the Protection of Diversity and Prohibition of Discrimination bill, which was shelved and has not been discussed by either the present administration or the previous one.

Members of minority groups are often forced to identify officially as Muslim, as the law states that the conversion of one parent to Islam qualifies the automatic conversion of the children. How can minority groups live with a sense of stability and security when the law itself is prejudiced, even oppressive against them, he asked. The current administration needs to fast-track solutions, and to work on reparations and transitional justice. Moreover, local municipalities need resources and training to resolve conflicts that arise when religious institutions only offer humanitarian assistance to their own flock. This kind of work demands time and commitment, and it is imperative to equip agents at the local level with the resources they need.

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How can minority groups live with a sense of stability and security when the law itself is prejudiced against them?

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Spotlight on Water Resources Moderator:

Ibrahim Al Ibadi The Nahrein Network

H.E Jamal Aladili Minister of Water

Azzam Alwash AUIS Board of Trustees

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DAY TWO

Spotlight on Water Resources

Moderator: : Ibrahim Al Ibadi The Nahrein Network Al Ibadi opened the panel by recalling the people of Basrah who had taken to the streets to challenge the government over the lack of access to water. People have expressed their frustrations with the political system, and the government urgently faces the challenge to provide basic services such as water and electricity to citizens. He turned to the panelists and questioned whether in the coming summer, access to water would be a problem. Will Iraqis have access to drinking water?

How is the agriculture sector going to be impacted by the access or lack of access to water? Finally, are protests to be anticipated?

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H.E Jamal Aladili Minister of Water Aladili assured that there would be no problems accessing water this coming summer, due to a large reserve of water in place that can be used if scarcity arises. Further reserves are anticipated from ice melting and reaching the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers. He stated that there have not been such high levels of water reserves since 1992. A recent and major success was to intercept water sources and collect them in such reserves, before they joined the ocean.

He expressed disagreement with Mr. Alwash regarding the trade-off between Turkey and Iraq concerning water and oil resources, stating that Turkey was economically and industrially advanced and would therefore want to pursue an exporting route out of Iraq. This would also benefit Iraq. Trade routes could be established connecting different countries in the region to the Western world, offering long-term advantages for the region. Finally, Aladili stated that the reparation of Mosul Dam since its liberation from ISIS control would not be costly. This is because local contractors are being hired as opposed to external contractors, which had previously been the case, he said, adding that the state of the dam remains the same as when it was first established in 1986, and that the water reserves are both considerable and strategic.

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Azzam Alwash AUIS Board of Trustees Alwash expressed his reservations regarding the summer season ahead and the state of water resources in general. The price of water today is higher than the price of oil, he said. For the past forty years, there have been no long-term plans for the utilization of water resources, only short-term solutions to problems that continue to arise. This summer season might be in the clear, but what about beyond that and other possible complications? If we continue on this trajectory, we risk the Tigris river drying up within a year or two. Relief can be expressed for a crisis averted this summer, but work must be done to find more sustainable solutions to manage the country’s water resources. However, such long-term solutions require political will. The issue of water is also an opportunity disguised as a crisis because it can generate economic wealth and employment opportunities. He expressed disagreement with Aladili that the Mosul Dam was in good shape, stating that it was a bomb waiting to go off, and clarifying that the dam should not be shut down, but that water levels should be reduced significantly before any planning can take place. Policies and strategies regarding the Tigris and Euphrates rivers need to show mutual advantages for both Turkey and Iraq. For example, Turkey would like to sell water in exchange for oil, which Iraq should not and will not allow. This would compromise both the market and the demand for oil from Europe, essentially placing the future of Iraq in Turkey’s hands. Instead, Iraq’s oil wealth should be used as a leverage point in case the water crisis worsens.

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The Mosul Dam is a bomb, and no one knows when the fuse will catch fire and the bomb will go off.

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Building Iraq’s Future: Education, Youth, and Employment Moderator:

Thanassis Cambanis The Century Foundation

Hisham Al Thahabi Iraqi Home for Creativity

Mujahid Waisy KAPITA

Christine van den Toorn IRIS, AUIS

Ammar Amin Founder of the start-up Miswag

Marwan Ahmad Co-founder of Mishwar and Representative for Careem 72

DAY TWO

Building Iraq’s Future: Education, Youth, and Employment

Moderator: Thanassis Cambanis The Century Foundation Cambanis began by advising speakers to avoid a vague debate that so often characterizes discussions on youth employment and education. Instead, he encouraged them to use their unique hands-on experience to address specific challenges relating to the issues that Iraqi youth face. Addressing his first question to Hisham Al Thahabi, he questioned whether the youth with whom he works at the Iraq Home for Creativity is part of a “lost generation.” As some analysts believe this notion characterizes a large portion of Iraq’s youth. He also asked about the steps Al Thahabi takes to prepare these children for successful lives. Two questions were posed to Christine van den Toorn, inquiring over whether students who came through AUIS were ready for employment, as well as the biggest challenges they face. To both Mujahid Waisy and Ammar Amin, he asked why they were not part of the phenomenon of brain drain that the country was struggling with.

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Hisham Al Thahabi Iraqi Home for Creativity Al Thahabi answered Cambanis saying that he did not believe the young employees at the Iraqi Home for Creativity are part of a lost generation. The term cannot be applied to all of Iraq’s youth. However, there is a considerable number of young people who have struggled to gain, or have been denied, access to education and health services.

Moreover, many young people have been denied a proper environment in which to grow with dignity, have their innocence protected, and reach their full potential. The Iraqi Home for Creativity works with and fosters as many children and teenagers as possible, who are either orphans or have left unsuitable home environments. From his sixteen years of experience, Al Thahabi stated four prerequisites for a successful life that any young person can benefit from and put into practice. First, to specialize in a specific field of study and not be distracted by other possibilities or career paths. The latter can be compared to stretching one’s self horizontally, instead of building up vertically. Second, courage is required to take the first step, which often does not happen for fear of failure. This hesitation often costs young people opportunities that could lead to successful endeavors. Third, it is important to recognize that the road to success is long and requires patience. Finally, and most importantly, one should not compare themselves to others. The real competition is with one’s self and individuals must consistently seek to improve themselves. This attitude must be fostered within family and home environments, and not simply within the context of organizations.

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This is proof of the fact that once any child has the opportunity to grow up in a loving and caring environment, that they have the capability of being innovative and contributing members of society.

Mujahid Waisy KAPITA Waisy argued that the main challenges faced by KAPITA are that college students lacked skilled knowledge and experience, as well as access to finance. Therefore, the work to be done, formerly at The Station and currently at the incubator, is to provide the youth with role models. The mainstream attitude of the youth is that the most important thing is to find a job, regardless of what that job might be.

Moreover, many, if not most, believe that they do not need further training and that they know enough about their field of studies. The aim of KAPITA is to use the private sector to persuade young people to take charge and create something, without waiting on government employment.

While the support of government is beneficial to provide, and improve on infrastructure, the private sector must take it from there.

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It’s very important to create role models for the youth because [...] most of them think they don’t need training.

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Christine van den Toorn IRIS, AUIS

Christine van den Toorn highlighted four skills that students lack when they come to AUIS, and more generally the majority of Iraqi students when they leave high school. These skills are necessary for employers, both in the civil service and the private sector. The first is the command of English, which is a global language and enables exchanges between cultures and professionals of any given field from all over the world. The second is access to working at both government and private sector companies. The third is a set of hard skills, such as accounting, banking, financing, and even the most basic of finance skills. The fourth are a set of soft skills, such as critical thinking. By seeking to foster these skills in its students, AUIS strives to make them more employable and to empower them to be contributing members of Iraqi society.

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When Iraqi students graduate from high school, there are certain skills that they don’t have that they need to enter the workforce, be that the private sector or the public sector.

Ammar Amin Founder of the start-up Miswag Amin began by responding to why he chose to stay in Iraq and contribute to Iraq’s startup ecosystem instead of leaving and being another example of the pervasive brain drain phenomenon. While possessing a general feeling of wanting to give back and help build his country, he also discovered that there was an opportunity to reform the way university professors prepare students for the private sector through revising the curriculum. In particular, the method by which many university professors instruct prepares students for academia instead of the job market. Therefore, as a professor of computer science, he decided to try a new approach that relied less on theory and more on hands-on experience and teamwork.

Moreover, in recruitment, he does not give importance to the field of study that students have majored in, but focuses on recruiting people who are smart and have an aptitude to learn new skills, emphasizing that the two most important skills are English and Microsoft Office.

Miswag then invests in improving the capacity of these employees through trainings.

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Most university lecturers follow a teaching scheme that converts the students into academics [...] They rarely do any hands-on experience on anything they teach.

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Marwan Ahmad Co-founder of Mishwar and Representative for Careem

Ahmad said that strong talent and skills are typically products of the higher education system or result from training in technical and developed industries in the private sector. He stated that neither the higher education system nor the private sector are undertaking this training in Iraq, adding that in the short term it is impossible to revolutionize the entire higher education system. The result is that there are people in the workforce who are on the same level as those who are self-taught by exploring YouTube or the internet. Therefore, when hiring, he looks for raw talent like basic arithmetic questions and logic. Careem is launching a large-scale program called Careem Ambassadors, to recruit people from universities who may have little to no experience, but they have talent, ability, and the hunger to learn.

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We tell people: ‘Don’t tell me the answer. We want to know: how did you get to that answer?’ We want to see how that person has that ability to learn, and we go and hire and invest in them.

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The New Geopolitics: Iraq, the Middle East, and the World Moderator:

Dov Zakheim Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Muhammed Ridha Shebani Senior Researcher, IPIS

Tamara Cofman Wittes Senior Fellow at the Center for Middle East, Brookings Institution

Vitaly Naumkin Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies & Russian Academy of Science

Elena Suponina Russian Institute of Strategic Studies

Joseph Bahout nonresident scholar at Sciences Po, Carnegie’s Middle East Program 80

DAY ONE

The New Geopolitics: Iraq, the Middle East, and the World

Moderator: Dov Zakheim Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Dov Zakheim is a Senior Advisor at CSIS and Senior Fellow at CNA, a federally-funded research and development center. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Booz Allen Hamilton, supporting US Combatant Commands worldwide. He opened by commenting on the unique opportunity of having an Iranian, two Americans, two Russians, and a European on stage together and that he was looking forward to a stimulating discussion. Among many questions put to the panelists were whether Russia had a coherent strategy in the Middle East, how war between Iran and Israel could be prevented, and how European powers perceived the regional crises.

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Muhammed Ridha Shebani Senior Researcher, IPIS Shebani stated that Iran’s strategy and plans for the region are transparent and clear, based on well-known policies that he described as both preventative and positive. The preventative policies are related to the role of the US and its presence in the Middle East, which Iran does not trust or have faith in. This lack of trust has been beneficial for Iran in its negotiations with the US, giving the example of Iran’s nuclear deal. Moreover, Iran’s defense policies are for the protection of Iran, and do not pose a threat to any of its neighbors. The challenges and threats that Iran faces are not coming from within the region. Iran does not adopt a policy of isolationism and believes in regional collaboration and coordination with neighboring countries. Any relationship or agreement between Iran and another nation is founded on the premise that both parties have mutual benefits. Iran believes in the right to selfdetermination of each nation, especially in the Middle East, including that each nation should be able to defend itself against outside interests. Iran possesses a clear vision for what needs to be implemented in order for security and stability in the region to be achieved. It is a crucial and constructive regional player, he added, highlighting Iran’s support for the Kuwaiti people during the Iraq-Kuwait war.

Moreover, when Iraq faced the worst of terrorism and fanaticism, in the form of ISIS and the Nusra Front, Iran was the first nation to lend support to both the Iraqis and the Kurds. These are the broad strokes of Iranian policies, regardless of the narratives that are perpetuated by different media outlets.

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Iran does not adopt a policy of isolationism. Instead, it believes in regional collaboration and coordination with neighboring countries.

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Tamara Cofman Wittes Senior Fellow at the Center for Middle East, Brookings Institution Cofman Wittes stated that American interests in the region have remained largely the same since the US entered the region almost half a century ago. These interests include the freedom of navigation, the free flow of energy to markets, security for key partners in the region, and combating threats to the US and the world, whether from terrorism or proliferation. What has changed, however, is the regional context. What remains for American partners and other regional actors is the increasing “uncertainty” over the regional order, which dominated the Middle East prior to 2011. Regional actors are competing with each other over opportunities to exploit, to extend their influence, and create a more favorable environment for themselves. There is no status quo in the region to defend. This has meant that the US looks to the region, beset by civil conflicts, in order to assess the unaddressed demands of citizens, looking for anchors of stability, and countries in the region that appear to be making progress in addressing drivers of stability. Moreover, they want to see which governments are working towards conflict resolution and to understand the diversity inclusion they are talking about. These are the best partners for American strategy because they are premised on stability and advancing stability.

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American interests in this region are the same as they have been since the United States entered into the region in a major way more than half a century ago: freedom of navigation, free flow of energy to global markets, security for our key partners in the region, combating threats [...] that emanate from this region, whether that’s terrorism or proliferation.

Vitaly Naumkin Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies & Russian Academy of Science Naumkin stated that given the unpredictability of developments in the Middle East, one has to adopt a strategy of reaction to unpredictable factors, such as the Arab Spring. However, Russia has a proactive strategic approach to the region based on economics, particularly oil, and on combating terrorism. He characterized these as interests rather than values. However, values that do exist are for example the refusal to accept the regime change policies of global actors, as well as to respect sovereignty and not to interference in local affairs. This comprises a strategy, but it doesn’t require that Russian policy is not reactive to regional developments.

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We are witnessing the proactive policies in Russia based on some basic interests in the field of economic preparation, [...] in the field of preventing terrorism, and many other issues.

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Elena Suponina Russian Institute of Strategic Studies

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The policies of division, of pitting one group against the other are not Russian policies because, as far as Russia is concerned, there are no advantages or benefits to instability and division in the region.

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Suponina expressed her disagreement with Bahout on his statement that Russia was not cooperating with other global actors. Russia has attempted to collaborate and work with the US and the European Union, and proposed solutions to deal with the refugee crisis. While the US had initially agreed to Russia’s proposal on how to deal with the refugee crisis in Europe, after Trump and Putin had met in Helsinki, the US later retracted its commitment to seeing it through. How is it possible for war to end in Syria when serious conversations regarding reconstruction and the status of refugees are not being held? As long as there are such high levels of unemployment and the severe destruction of infrastructure, how can results be attained? There is hesitation to collaborate with Russia on those issues, due to a lack of trust. However, this only prologues what urgently needs to take place.

Russia’s role in supporting stability in the region is by forging relationships with all key actors, including both Israel and Palestinian factions, as well as Lebanese security forces. This is because Russia has recognized that the only way for peace and stability to be achieved in the region is for certain checks and balances to be established. The policies of division, of pitting one group against the other, are not Russian policies.

As far as Russia is concerned, there are no advantages or benefits to instability and division in the region.

Joseph Bahout nonresident scholar at Sciences Po, Carnegie’s Middle East Program Bahout explained that the idea of a European strategy in the Middle East is an oxymoron. A few years ago, in 2013, the US had a good chance to accelerate a solution for the Syrian crisis. However, the decision made by the Obama administration not to strike Syria destroyed it. This is similar to the Trump administration’s recent announcement that US troops will withdraw from Syria, both of which have damaged the transatlantic relationship.

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Europe is between a rock and a hard place in this region.

As a consequence, there is a huge debate in Europe over how to approach Russia diplomatically. However, he stated that Moscow despises European strategy, has not put pressure on Bashar Al Assad to accept a political solution, and has not made room for Europe in the Astana or Sotchi talks. He concluded that the dilemma that Europe faces pertains to a lack of means and resources. Europe cannot have a united defense and diplomatic policy because it would require the full agreement of the 27 members. This presents a new political landscape that is without military means for leverage in the region, while simultaneously causing acute domestic problems.

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[The] European Union can’t have a united defense and diplomatic policy because it needs the full agreement of the twenty-seven members.

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SULAIMANI FORUM

THE SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS - 2019 Discussions around the Forum also took place online as followers joined the conversation primarily using the hashtag #SuliForum across a number of social media platforms. Over the two day-event, policymakers, panelists, commentators, analysts, students and more added to the offline debates, generating over 73 million impressions across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Coverage included flashbacks to previous Forum events, a countdown to the opening of the 2019 Forum, graphic quotes, live interviews with panelists and attendees, live video updates on Instagram, and summary wrap-up videos at the end of both days.

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Sarah Marsh @SarahinKRI

UK Amb @JonWilksFCO - Iraq must credibly ensure that it will not be a threat to Iranian national security but also not in the Iraqi national interest to be an instrument or base for Iranian influence elsewhere in the region. Balance of US and Iran relations important #SuliForum UNAMI @UNIraq

To achieve this, a sustained, constructive dialogue among political factions, components and communities, is desperately needed, placing national interests above partisan interests. #SuliForum #Iraq Mina Al-Oraibi @AlOraibi

Interviewed Iraq’s president @BarhamSalih after moderating our session on opening day of #SuliForum .. raised several issues including state of Basra, which he considers failure of political system https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/isis-fighters-guilty-of-killingiraqis-can-face-death-penalty1.834444via @TheNationalUAE Erik Gustafson @epicEKG

Shukran jazeelan @AUISOfficial @IRISmideast and to all the speakers and guests. For all who follow Iraq and the region, the #SuliForum continues to be among the most important touchstones of our work.

Ma’a salama 91

German Consulate EBL @GermanyInKRI

After energizing opening remarks by @qubadjt at #SuliForum, the President of the Republic of Iraq @BarhamSalih is now sharing his views on the future of Iraq. @GermanyInKRI is glad to be present at the event, together with @GermanyOnMENA from Berlin.

Steve Lutes @stevelutes

Great opening panel day 2 @AUISOfficial @IRISmideast #SuliForum on the vital importance of capital formation as a driver to real economic growth. Met the CEO and the Chairman of the Iraq Stock Exchange on the sidelines. @USChamber Hayder al-Khoei @7ayder87

@jobahout: Trump decision to withdraw from Syria was taken without consulting the Europeans. The transatlantic alliance is wavering.

Europe is between a rock and a hard place in the Middle East. #SuliForum #SuliForum19 Tone Allers @ToneAllers

Second day of #Suliforum starts out with excellent panel on Foreign Investment and the Private Sector, asking how to allow private sector to be the horse that pulls the whole cart. @InnovasjonNorge 92

#SuliForum Over

500 guests

from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

Generated

65 million 7 people 20 Iraqi media 14 outlets & Kurdish 24 media outlets million impressions

Reached

Covered by

International media outlets

including CNN, BBC, POLITICO, Economist, New Yorker, NPR, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Al-Arabiya, Bloomburg, Al-Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, and The Philadelphia Inquirer

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WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT

THE 7

TH

SULAIMANI FORUM

IN 2020

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