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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.
In a severely turbulent political environment, a newly leaked set of audio recordings of former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki insulting prominent leaders and inciting sectarian divisions threatens to destabilise Iraq even further.
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.
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.
The Islamic State has attacked a number of Iraqi military and security positions, as well as targeting Shia civilians in the eastern Diyala governorate, triggering extrajudicial and retaliatory killings by Shia militias aligned with the government.
![Iranians gather in the northeastern city of Mashhad on January 5, 2020 to pay homage to top general Qasem Soleimani and others after they were killed in a US strike in Baghdad [Getty Images]](/sites/default/files/styles/large_16_9/public/2021-09/GettyImages-1191924018.jpg?h=199d8c1f&itok=17mPS_ug)
Whilst the main protagonists of the Iran-Iraq War have long departed, the seeds sowed by the conflict continue to have rippling effects for the region today. With Iranian soft power at unprecedented levels, what will the future hold for Iraq?
![An Iraqi protester gestures the v-sign during a demonstration against state corruption, failing public services and unemployment at Tayaran square in Baghdad on October 2, 2019. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/large_16_9/public/2021-10/GettyImages-1173113048.jpg?h=75ce010a&itok=if-m2tDe)
Rather than democratic change, since the US invasion in 2003 Iraqis have complained of a sectarian, corrupt, and nepotistic political system that has brought little positive change to their lives.
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.
It is already clear that Iraqi politics is suffering from a serious crisis of legitimacy and a failure to act soon may mean that democracy – such as it ever was – may lose the ability to be resuscitated and reformed at all.