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Once known for its fertile lands and lush agriculture, Iraq is facing an impending climate crisis as drought, incessant sand storms and scorching heat, compounded by a failing government, promise a difficult summer.

With a complex web of politics and military power converging in Sinjar, it appears clear that Iraq is once again being used as a chessboard for regional and domestic ambitions to be played out among rivals.

Decades of unsanctioned wars and foreign interference have proved devastating for Baghdad, as Iraq continues to struggle with political instability, economic collapse, and widespread social unrest.

As Iran comes under increased pressure from geopolitical rivals regarding sanctions, oil, and the nuclear deal, it has turned to hard power to assert its regional influence and hide its nerves.

As Russia’s war in Ukraine rages on, soaring food prices and rampant corruption have sparked nation-wide protests in Iraq, threatening the government’s already faltering domestic credibility.

Iraq's highest court has thwarted the ambitions of both Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, creating the circumstances for continued instability in Iraqi political affairs.

The political instability that has wrangled Iraq since October's elections has spilled over into the Gulf, as Iran-backed Iraqi and Yemeni groups target the UAE.

Iran views Iraq as its most important foreign policy arena and maintains excellent and deep ties with every faction. In other words, whoever wins in the Iraqi elections, Iran wins.

In the two years since Qasem Soleimani's assassination, Iran has failed to fill the void left by its mastermind strategist and is struggling to maintain its grip on the lynchpin of its regional influence - Iraq.

The US has announced the official end to combat missions in Iraq, but after decades of military interventions and political instability, the future of Iraq's fragile political system is hanging by a thread.