Stories

“Hardships and perseverance”: A glimpse into the lives of people of short stature in Iraq 

People of short stature in Iraq face many hardships—from restaurants to government offices and even within their homes. Here is a glimpse into their invisible struggles.

Reports

Blue hydrogen and the sun: Exploring Iraq’s alternatives to oil 

What viable alternatives can Iraq pursue to transition toward having a more diversified economy—one that reduces environmental harm and improves human well-being?
This is the dilemma facing Iraq, a rentier state that relies heavily on fossil fuels for nearly everything, even as it faces a climate crisis that threatens the state, society, and biodiversity alike.

Stories

“I’m afraid I’ll lose my money”: Shaimaa and Muhammad’s concerns about digital payment  

The Iraqi government is mandating digital payments, a move strongly promoted by banks. But many Iraqis, like Shaimaa and Muhammad, remain hesitant, expressing fears they might lose their money in the transition. The questions remain: are Iraqis truly ready for this shift? Why are some people afraid of losing their money? How have hidden fees, unexpected “tips” and fraud schemes become new obstacles to digital transformation and cashless systems?

Reports

Rentier economy and liquidity: What do we know about the uncertain future Iraq is facing? 

Seventy per cent of Iraqi cash is outside the banking system. Governmental and financial institutions are suffering from a shortage of Iraqi dinars, while oil prices may drop. So, what do we know about the unknown future Iraq is heading towards?

Stories

“Where is your father?” And the endless questions about my travels

Without my father, I would always be seen as a minor in the eyes of a state that officially recognises me as being in the first quarter of my twenties. Even though I am an adult. My eligibility is also questioned whenever the question that never leaves me is asked: Why are you here alone?

Stories

The deaf and mute in Iraq: neglect, isolation, and the barriers of language      

The deaf and mute community in Iraq had been living in complete isolation, struggling with neglect and a lack of facilities for daily life, most notably, the difficulty of communication. They face challenges in interacting with others in society as well as with state institutions due to language barriers, as they rarely find anyone who can communicate with them, even at a basic level. An article on communication and how it can become a daily challenge.

Reports

Three laws in one basket. Iraq insists on division and regression 

Iraqi decision-makers behave as if they are outside of the times. Indeed, they are — ignoring this critical stage that the country, the region, and the world are going through. At a time when a significant review of existing laws is needed to modernise the country, laws are going backwards.

Reports

Dissolving the PMF, Again

This is the story of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) or Commission, three rebellious factions, and the debate on dissolving the factions or integrating the commission into security institutions. What is happening behind the scenes which involved the dissolution of the PMF?  

Reports

The mountain is no longer a friend to the Kurds. How do northern villages survive under Turkish army bombardment? 

The mountains, forests, and water springs have turned into war zones. Once, they were a tourist attraction and a hub for popular festivals celebrating nature. The songs of farmers and shepherds have fallen silent, replaced by the sounds of warplanes, artillery, and gunfire. This is the story of Iraqi Kurdish villages under Turkish bombardment.

Stories

“But you’re a virgin!” Being unmarried in an Iraqi gynaecological clinic 

If you are single or never married, you’ll find it difficult to be seen by a gynaecologist or face challenges in having a medical condition acknowledged for examination in hospitals. You may even be asked to bring a male guardian to obtain a doctor’s approval to examine you.

Here are the experiences of four women living with pain.