Reflections on Corruption, Foreign Policy and Democratic Development

This week's episode examines the protests by graduates demanding public sector jobs and the politics behind Iraq's bloated public payroll, including potential alternatives, from universal basic income to overhauling subsidies. The conversation then turns to Iraq's anti-corruption campaign, following the arrest of a prominent media personality for bribery and ties to a well-known politician. We explore what this could mean for the proliferation of low-quality media outlets, and the importance of rebuilding public trust.

With the September 30 deadline approaching, the debate over the future of the resistance factions is entering a critical phase. While some factions have signalled their willingness to place their weapons and forces under state authority, others continue to resist disarmament, arguing that the conditions which gave rise to the resistance have not disappeared.This episode examines the pushback from factions including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba and unpacks the arguments they have advanced for retaining their weapons. We also examine the incentives behind Kataib Imam Ali’s decision to transition into politics and join the Coordination Framework, and ask why the same path may hold considerably less appeal for the more senior factions of the resistance axis.

As Prime Minister Zaidi marks his 100th day in office, we assess the government's performance so far, breaking down five areas of focus: anti-corruption raids, demobilization and integration of armed factions, the electricity grid, budget reform and debt management, and the plan to allocate a million plots of land to Iraqis.The conversation digs into why Iraqi governments favor vague, sprawling lists of "priorities" over accountable, measurable goals; whether the anti-corruption campaign is a systemic reform effort or just a media spectacle; and how regional dynamics between the US and Iran are shaping Iraq’s disarmament timeline.

To mark our 50th episode, we revisit three themes that have defined Iraqi Voices: the fight against corruption and the importance of integrity in leadership, Iraq’s search for a coherent foreign policy, and the country’s democratic development.Three months into Prime Minister Zaidi’s term, we discuss whether the anti-corruption drive reflects genuine institutional reform or simply a change in political will. We also examine the costs of a passive policy of “neutrality” in an increasingly volatile region, and revisit criticism of choosing a prime minister who has never run for office.

In this episode of Iraqi Voices, the hosts unpack Prime Minister Zaidi's five-day visit to the United States amid nearly 50 agreements signed with American government institutions and firms and discuss whether they can materialize into projects on the ground. The hosts also examine Zaidi's upcoming first official visit to Tehran, debating whether the back-to-back Washington-Tehran itinerary undermines or reinforces Iraq's delicate balancing act between the two rival powers. With the September 30th deadline for the disarming of resistance factions looming, they explore the pressure Zaidi faces from Washington and what he needs from Iran.Finally, the team covers the latest in Iraq's anti-corruption campaign, including raids connected to prominent Coordination Framework figure Ahmed Al-Asadi, and what the slow trickle of elite-level arrests signals about the trajectory of Zaidi's reform agenda.

Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi made his first official visit to Washington, DC, meeting President Donald Trump in the Oval Office just two months after taking office. But did the visit come too soon?In this episode, the hosts offer their initial assessment of the White House meeting and examine why Washington continues to view Iraq through the prism of Iran, as well as why an Oval Office photo opportunity is no substitute for a sustained diplomatic strategy.The discussion also covers the September 30 deadline for the disarmament of non-state armed factions and the full withdrawal of Coalition forces from Iraq, and why Zaidi’s US visit could ultimately backfire at home.

The wave of high-profile anti-corruption arrests has sent shockwaves through Iraq. But how far are Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and the judiciary prepared to take this campaign, and what could it mean for the country's political order?In this episode, we examine the political significance of the crackdown and consider whether the arrests could lead to a broader recalibration of Iraq's political landscape. We assess the potential implications for parliament, the balance of power among Iraq's political factions, and how it could impact the Zaidi government.

In this episode, the hosts analyze Iraq's accelerating anti-corruption campaign under Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi. The discussion covers the high-profile arrests of senior officials in the ministries of Oil and Electricity, the wave of senior personnel changes sweeping the heart of government, and what it all means for former Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani. The hosts also examine whether this momentum signals genuine institutional reform or selective and politicized justice.

Since the formation of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's government, a series of declarations by the Sadrist Movement, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and Kata'ib Imam Ali have signaled a growing willingness to abandon armed wings and integrate more fully into the Iraqi state.But what do these declarations actually mean in practice? The hosts unpack the technical process of Hashd integration, examine Sadr's long history of pledges to disband armed formations, and explore the political calculations driving these latest announcements. They also discuss why different factions face varying incentives, and what the evolution of Iraq's armed movements reveals about the country's broader political trajectory.

In this episode, we assess PM Zaidi's first two weeks in office and discuss why political slogans and broad promises are no longer enough, and why Zaidi will need to articulate clear policy priorities that demonstrate his vision for Iraq and his approach to governing.The conversation also examines the importance of effective public communication in building credibility, particularly at a time of mounting economic pressure. Finally, we unpack the government’s decision to undertake a comprehensive review of public contracts and what it may reveal about Zaidi’s approach to corruption, accountability, and reform.