Iraq

Iraq has gone through many changes since 1971. The Iraq Iran war caused many changes in the balance of power in the region. Regime security is a main factor at play in understanding key decisions. The rise and fall of Hussein has made a big impact on regional and domestic factors in Iraq. Before his death, the main actor was his desire for power and control. The changes can best be describes through a structural realist lens focused on the individual states and the relationships between them.

Following the fall of Hussein, Iraq still needed to implement a stronger foreign policy strategy. However, through domestic development such as water resources and energy development as well as trade and investment will increase and improve Iraq’s relationship with its neighbors. As its economy improves, it will continue to become more of an important regional factor changing the balance of power in the region and the international system.