Former Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s Role as a Regional Stabiliser

As the former Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa Al Kadhimi found a solution to the Iraqi economic crisis through his groundbreaking ‘White Paper’, which set out a reform programme to reduce dependence on the state, develop the private sector and stimulate economic growth. This article will examine Moustafa Al Kazemi’s role as a regional stabiliser at a decisive moment in Middle Eastern history.

The MENA region is currently gripped by escalating conflicts and economic uncertainty. Amidst this unrest, one nation boasts the relationships and historic responsibility to foster dialogue and stability: Iraq.

A cradle of civilisation and a hub of culture, dialogue and coexistence, Iraq has been a land at the crossroads of civilisations for centuries. In modern times, despite the tragedy of war and the monumental burden of rebuilding, the nation has demonstrated time and time again its ability to serve as a bridge between East and West, between rival regional powers and individual Arab states. It is precisely this role of mediator that Iraq is reclaiming with renewed determination.

Under Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s leadership, Iraq hosted dialogue between Iran and Saudi Arabia, culminating in a 2023 agreement to restore diplomatic relations. A moment of quiet pride for the nation, the breakthrough proved Iraq’s pivotal role as an engine of peace. Mr Al Kadhimi maintains that mediation is not a choice for the country but rather part of its calling, reviving Iraq’s historic vocation, bringing together diverse people and traditions, and making room for coexistence where others envision only conflict.

Mustafa Al Kadhimi maintains that Iraq’s credibility abroad rests on the resilience the nation builds at home. Having endured decades of hardship, the Iraqi population has shown remarkable determination to reform the economy, strengthen institutions and revitalise society.

Mr Al Kadhimi’s ‘White Paper’ for economic reform was launched in 2020, serving as a blueprint to move Iraq beyond dependency on fossil fuels, calling for structural change, investment in industry, agriculture and the digital economy, and development of human capital. Though the reforms were ambitious, demanding considerable sacrifices, they were an integral part of building the resilient, diversified economy essential to safeguarding sovereignty and strengthening Iraq’s voice in the region.

The progress made during Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s tenure as Prime Minister of Iraq, though fragile, underscored Iraq’s role as an adept mediator, with the country having rebuilt itself on democratic, inclusive, innovative foundations, establishing itself as a nation that inspires trust and leads dialogue.

In 2021, the Iraqi government invited the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to a regional security summit that also included Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan and the European Union as well as Qatar, the UAE and Egypt. The meeting formed part of efforts stretching back to 2019 on the part of the Iraqi leadership to establish the country as a constructive force in the region.

Despite misleading narratives, Iraq remains a land of pluralism, with its 2024 census reflecting a mosaic of communities, including Sunni, Shia, Christians and Kurds, among others, coexisting peacefully side by side. In an interview with the London School of Economics, Mustafa Al Kadhim recounted his historic meeting with the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, citing it as both a spiritual milestone and a moment of profound affirmation of Iraq’s embodiment of respect and coexistence. As Mr Al Kadhimi points out, that visit showed the world a different image of the nation, highlighting Iraq not as a country of division but one of unity in diversity. Far from being a weakness, this is Iraq’s strength, equipping its people with the moral authority to call for peace, with the country having lived – and continuing to live – with the complexity of pluralism within its borders.