Launch of the Baghdad International Dialogue Conference (First Session: Political Challenges and Future Prospects)

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

(Political Challenges and Future Prospects)

Moderator:
Dr. Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum

Participants:

Dr. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani – Member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives and former Speaker of Parliament
Dr. Adel Abdul Mahdi – Former Vice President of the Republic
Dr. Adnan al-Janabi – Member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives
Dr. Barham Salih – Former Deputy Prime Minister
Dr. Ali al-Adeeb – Member of Parliament and Head of the State of Law Bloc

Baghdad, a city that has triumphed over challenges throughout history, hosting this dialogue today is yet another victory. The diversity of participants deserves appreciation, as does the careful selection of the conference title.
“Options After Victory” is a major and vital theme. Everyone is looking to the post-Mosul phase. Two intersecting visions dominate the Iraqi political scene:

One view believes the liberation of Mosul will open the door to the division or federal fragmentation of Iraq, as a natural outcome of the system and its crises since 2003.
The second believes that diagnosing problems is the foundation, and that Mosul’s liberation is the gateway to an accomplished Iraqi unity, once all realize that unity is the only option after the threat of داعش (ISIS). This view sees a historic opportunity to review files and move toward serious dialogue.

The Baghdad Dialogue is a distinguished initiative that supports the second view—unity through dialogue—but this requires genuine and transparent political engagement.

Key questions posed to the panel:

Can Iraqi political forces, with all their identities and agendas, deal with the post-ISIS phase?
Are state institutions capable of managing the post-victory phase in a way that preserves Iraq’s unity?
If not, what must be done?
Is the settlement proposed by the National Alliance and sponsored by the UN a real option, and what are the obstacles?
Proposing solutions is the duty of enlightened minds.

(Member of Parliament – Head of the State of Law Bloc)

While respecting the call for political dialogue after داعش, I salute our security forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces for their victories.
Is this dialogue merely for dialogue’s sake, or to produce meaningful outcomes?
We must define a compass and objectives and follow up on acceptable proposals through a committee formed by the conference.
We contributed to our own division; every faction entrenched against the other, eroding trust.
Without development, all solutions fail.
We must use all means to stop extremism and terrorism in Mosul.
Extremism is ideological; Iraq’s crisis stems from destructive political culture.
We need responsible democracy and a review of the political process.
Why do electoral lists represent sectarian identities?
We must reform the election law and ensure fair representation.
Why defend a sect rather than human values?
Oil wealth is a central factor.
Regional alliances based on interests—not ideology—can reduce conflict.

داعش occupied six provinces because we failed to build the state and security forces.
We entered the tunnel of sectarianism and quota-based politics.
We must now shift from power struggles to building the state.
The danger ahead threatens the legitimacy of the political process.
New leadership is required to restore trust.

Key challenges:

We are at a historic moment after defeating terrorism.
Mosul’s liberation must be a moment of review, not celebration alone.
The real challenge is ending the cycle of violence.
Baghdad must be the center of sincere national dialogue.
Kurdish, southern, and Sunni grievances must be resolved within a national formula.
Major infrastructure projects can transform conflict into cooperation.

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