Iraq: New leadership, but same old politics

Successive governments in Iraq have expressed their commitment to stamping out rampant corruption in the country over the past 20 years, but without much success.

The administration of Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani – which took office in October 2022 – is not expected to be different. Baghdad's ability to tackle corruption is being hampered by obstruction from political parties and their linked militia groups, many of which benefit from the graft.