The minimum you must know

According to Iraq President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid in September 2025, a million people per year are currently moving into his country. That’s a stunningly good sign that people are at peace there, and both returning home and taking up new residences as a result. The international community can feel very good about that immigration pattern. Sanctions were lifted in bordering Syria, which helped. And the United Kingdom entered into a return agreement (during summer 2025) that is contributing to the trend. This writer wonders if the European Union may already be experiencing a declining population level even without one. Europe’s population may especially reduce to the extent events in Ukraine become calm as well. This writer predicts Europe will miss the immigration. Many creative extraordinary people may return to their home countries.

In June 2025, the U.S. authorized non-essential staff to depart Iraq and Kuwait, signifying a substantial reduction of personnel there. The hoped for decision followed full and complete sanctions relief for bordering Syria. So it initially seemed conciliatory. However, the United States, Israel and Iran increased their military activities towards one another subsequently. There remains a need for improving relations in the region as a result. An Abrahams accord for Iran might help Iraq a lot.

The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, is calling for a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country, arguing that Iraq is stable and ISIS has been defeated - so United States forces are no longer useful there. (The President of Iran implied Iran’s support, by saying he hopes Iran and Israel will mutually lay down arms around the same time.) This writer suggests NATO offer to replace the military presence with a purely peaceful diplomatic one whose mission will be economic development. Both Iraq and the U.S.A. can claim “victory” to the media regarding the defeat of Isis because of the Prime Minister’s comments.

Iraq is a majority Islamic country that consequently cares deeply about peace. Iraq shares its largest borders with Syria, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and is geographically close to Israel. The government is at peace with all surrounding ones. But the Iraqi people remain want of stability and prosperity anyway, after the most challenging two decades in the nation's history.

There's great hope around the world that Iraq might one day develop into an exceedingly desirable place to live. There have been significant developments creating a representative government and investing in infrastructure. But the population has endured civil disobedience, roaming gangs, and incursions from foreign states, including NATO and competing regional countries. So the region is sensitive to peace.

There have been minor clashes between security sides in 2025.

Because conflict and instability led people to flee Iraq over the prior two decades, most foreign countries feel a significant shared interest in Iraq stabilizing and becoming successful politically and economically. Twenty million people fled the region. As all other countries in the region improve relations with one another and NATO, they increasingly insist on peace and calm between political parties within Iraq. Regional countries want great relations between groups within Iraq - so that they’re all successful working together - and won’t support behavior to the contrary. There is broad consensus in the region that NATO does not belong there, and consequently Americans and Europeans might encounter some deterrence when visiting there. But it’s possible for NATO to reframe its relations with the country to become purely peaceful and diplomatic, in which case more foreigners may start to feel welcome. (Like all Islamic populations, Iraqis are peaceful unless forced to defend themselves. They clearly need foreign direct investment… not foreign directed weapons.)

There may be natural resources in Iraq that can contribute to the country's prosperity. However, Iraq must develop the rest of it its economy as well. There has been substantial progress in this regard but more work must be done. The entire population must be able to earn enough to support their needs. People are accustomed to helping each other there. But welfare and employment may be very important to successfully fully halt the flow of refugees into other countries and continents anyway. The population must safely and enjoyably participate in a growing global economy to reverse migration into Europe, Asia and surrounding states.

Countries attending peace talks may want to put aside their differences entirely, as at times in the past, and work together, until the Iraqi people are completely safe and prospering. There are no competing interests among countries as important as lasting peace and calm.

Iraq has participated in dozens of peace talks for the region in the past decade that have successfully maintained the country's borders with surrounding states, and that coordinated anti-terrorism efforts among nations. Those talks are going to continue. There have also been international meetings for the internal development of the nation. Iraq needs investment in broadband internet access, utilities, roads, residential buildings, commercial malls, educational programs and recreational centers. The country would benefit from demilitarization from all sides. It's important that average Iraqi's feel safe, enjoy themselves and participate in a growing global economy.