By Saman Shali
Looking at the situation in Iraq, we can conclude that eradicating extremist tendencies in Iraqi society is a complex phenomenon rooted in historical, political, social, and economic factors. To understand this, we must delve into the country's turbulent past and present.
Since Iraq was founded after World War I, the country has faced sectarian and religious issues. The Iraqi people continue to suffer from this to this day. A generation of extremists has been created, and fanaticism is a breeding ground for extremist societies.
1. Historical Context: Iraq's history is marked by invasions, conquests, and colonial rule, leaving deep scars on its societal fabric. The fall of the Ottoman Empire, the British mandate, and subsequent coups and conflicts have contributed to disunity and instability.
2. Political Factors: Iraq has struggled with authoritarian regimes, including dictatorship, characterized by repression, violence, and sectarian policies. These regimes marginalized certain groups, fostering resentment and alienation.
3. Sectarianism: Iraq is deeply divided along sectarian lines, particularly between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Sectarian tensions were exacerbated by political manipulation, leading to cycles of violence and retaliation. Extremist groups exploit these divisions to advance their agendas and promote hatred and intolerance.
4. Foreign Intervention: The 2003 US-led invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq plunged the country into chaos, dismantling state institutions and fueling sectarian strife. The power vacuum created allowed extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and later ISIS to gain a foothold, exploiting grievances and instability.
5. Economic Challenges: Iraq faces widespread poverty, unemployment, and corruption, exacerbating social inequalities and disenchantment with the government. Economic hardship creates fertile ground for extremist ideologies, offering disillusioned individuals a sense of purpose and belonging. Under these economic conditions, the extremes are flourishing, especially among the youth.
6. Ideological Influences: Extremist ideologies, including Salafism and Wahhabism, have gained traction in Iraqi society, fueled by funding from external sources and the spread of radical narratives. These ideologies promote a narrow interpretation of Islam, rejecting pluralism and promoting violence against perceived enemies.
7. Weak Institutions: Iraq's institutions, including its judiciary, security forces, health care, and educational system, have been undermined by corruption, nepotism, and inefficiency. This erosion of trust in state institutions pushes some towards extremist groups that promise justice and stability.
8. The Iraqi Constitution: The lack of adherence to the Constitution and the judiciary's monopolization of its unfair judgments against partners in the political process for the benefit of one group at the expense of other groups has fueled a feeling of injustice and lack of trust among them, and this feeling will push them to extremism to defend their constitutional rights.
9. Social Fragmentation: Iraqi society is fragmented along ethnic, religious, and tribal lines, leading to a lack of national identity and cohesion. This fragmentation creates fertile ground for extremist ideologies to thrive, as individuals may prioritize loyalty to their group over the nation.
10. Media and Propaganda: Extremist groups exploit modern communication channels, including social media, to disseminate propaganda and recruit supporters. The spread of misinformation and extremist rhetoric further polarizes society and fuels radicalization.
11. Lack of Reconciliation: Iraq has yet to reckon with its past atrocities and achieve meaningful reconciliation among its diverse communities. The absence of justice and accountability for past crimes perpetuates cycles of violence and mistrust, making it easier for extremist groups to exploit grievances.
Conclusion
Iraqi society's tendency towards extremism is the culmination of a large number of factors, including historical legacies, political instability, sectarian tensions, economic challenges, ideological influences, weak institutions, social fragmentation, media manipulation, and lack of reconciliation. Addressing these fundamental issues requires comprehensive reforms to enhance inclusiveness, strengthen institutions, combat corruption, and strengthen national unity. Iraq will only be able to overcome the specter of extremism and build a more peaceful and prosperous future for all its citizens through the genuine and truthful efforts of all partners in the political process. We must return to the principles of consensus, balance, and partnership based on which the Iraqi people voted for the Constitution as an umbrella to protect them and not to deprive their security and freedoms.
Saman Shali has a Ph.D. in Science (1981) from the University of Sussex. Dr. Shali worked as an Assistant Researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Sussex, King Saud University, and Pennsylvania State University. He is also a senior fellow at the Mediterranean Institute for Regional Studies.