Iraq in 2018 ... What lies ahead?

By Padraig O'Hannelly.

The year just gone by has seen many changes in Iraq, including the successful routing of the so-called Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh), the holding of a controversial vote on Kurdish independence, and a long-awaited improvement in relations with Saudi Arabia.

The latter part of the year also saw a steady and welcome increase in oil prices, which, coupled with record oil export volumes, has helped to prop up the country's finances.

As we publish our first newsletter of the new year, we'd like to say a special word of thanks to all of our contributors, including our panel of Expert Bloggers, who have given us the benefit of their wisdom and observations over the past twelve months:

We look forward to reading more from them in the coming year.

We'd also like to thank all our readers and well-wishers for making Iraq Business News the must-read publication for everyone with an interest in Iraq, and we ask you to please support our valued advertisers, who make all of this possible.

It is also important to remember two Iraq-focussed charities that are doing amazing and much-needed work in the country:

Any donations made to them will make a big difference to the lives of so many vulnerable people in Iraq.

Having welcomed a new year, many of us will have hopes and dreams for the twelve months ahead. What do you wish for Iraq in 2018, and what are your predictions for the state of the country one year from now? Whatever your connection with Iraq, we’d love to read your opinions in the comments section below.

With another challenging but potentially rewarding year to come, Iraq Business News will be with you every step of the way, wishing all of you a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2018.

5 Responses to Iraq in 2018 ... What lies ahead?

  1. Michael 4th January 2018 at 17:58 #

    Hello all,
    I am not an expert with reference to Iraq and Iran but it seems to me that Iraq getting into bed with Iran will make the Iraqis life a bit worse for the long run. Iran is a terrorist driven country that hates freedom for the common folks. (Look at the protests)
    Every human deserves to be free of dictatorship. Especially a terrorist dictatorship.
    Iraq government should strive to put their citizens "first" in all matters. Make your people #1 then prosperity and happiness will follow.

  2. Mark 5th January 2018 at 00:48 #

    Nice to see Iraq coming alive again after decades of war and oppression. But I'm a skeptic when it comes to cleaning house of the corruption that has plagued Iraq. For example Sadaam had a much healthier value of the dinar. I see so much poverty in Iraq and I wonder now why after all these years, why they're holding the value of the dinar down devastatingly undervalued when the country brags about being so rich. Are they manipulating their currency like China has been blamed for?

  3. Shireen 5th January 2018 at 07:37 #

    I am very optimistic that Iraq will do well this year . I hope that getting rid of Deash will strengthen the people's will to have better life and work harder to achieve that.
    I am optimistic that more International Oil companies will share the exploration and development of Iraqi Oil Fields for better future.

  4. Michael 6th January 2018 at 04:27 #

    Hello All,
    I left many wonderful Iraqi friends behind when I departed Iraq in 2011. I pray that 2018 will open the doors so that all of us that wish to can go back and visit our friends with out fear of being gunned down or blown up by some nut job that thinks terrorism is a good thing.
    All my best wishes go out to the Iraqi people.

  5. Jeffrey 21st January 2018 at 14:24 #

    I've been watching iraq very closely for the past 10 years,. My heart goes out to the people of iraq. i'm heavily invested in iraq hoping and wishing they will go back to that strong productive country as they use to be.

    IRAQ PLEASE HELP YOUR PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!