Dr. Saman Shali

The "Deep State" refers to a supposed hidden power network within a government, often involving unelected bureaucrats, intelligence agencies, military leaders, or other influential figures who operate independently of elected leaders, frequently influencing or controlling policies and decisions behind the scenes. In Iraq, the deep state has had a significant impact on governance, democracy, and national stability. This essay explores the effects of the deep state on Iraq's government, analyzing its roots, mechanisms of control, and consequences for political, economic, and social development.

Historical Background of the Deep State in Iraq

Iraq's political history has been shaped by authoritarian rule, foreign interventions, and internal conflicts, all of which have contributed to the rise of a deep state. Under the previous regime, the government was tightly controlled by intelligence agencies and the military. Following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, the dismantling of the military institutions created a power vacuum, allowing various factions, including sectarian militias, foreign powers, and entrenched bureaucratic networks, to form a new deep state structure.

Mechanisms of Control by the Deep State

The deep state in Iraq operates through various mechanisms, including:

1. Intelligence and Security Agencies: Iraq's intelligence services, often linked to political factions or foreign interests, play a crucial role in shaping policies, suppressing dissent, and protecting elite interests.
2. Sectarian and Ethnic Networks: Political parties, particularly those with ties to religious and ethnic groups, use patronage systems to maintain control over state institutions, thereby limiting democratic governance.
3. Foreign Influence: External actors, including Iran, Turkey, and other regional powers, exert influence over Iraq's politics through financial aid, military support, and diplomatic pressure, reinforcing deep state structures.
4. Corruption and Economic Control: Corruption is a significant tool of the deep state, where elites manipulate state contracts, oil revenues, and government positions for personal and factional gain.
5. Media and Propaganda: Certain media outlets, controlled by deep state actors, influence public perception and political narratives, often suppressing dissenting voices and independent journalism.
6. Economic & Corporations Connections: It involves big corporations, banks, and financial institutions that influence the policies of finance institutions. It can manipulate markets, funding, and lobbying to sustain it is control.
7. Long-Term Strategic Planning: Deep state functions beyond election cycles to maintain long-term influence. Also, it engages in covert operations, black budgets, and secret agreements.

Effects on Governance and Democracy

The deep state in Iraq has had profound consequences for the country's governance and democratic institutions:

1. Weakening of Democratic Institutions: Despite formal democratic processes, the deep state manipulates elections, judicial decisions, and legislative actions, ensuring that real power remains in the hands of unelected elites.
2. Political Instability and Violence: The presence of militia groups and deep state-aligned security forces contributes to political violence, assassinations, and instability, undermining efforts toward national unity.
3. Extensive Corruption: With deep state actors controlling economic resources, corruption has become endemic, diverting public funds from essential services and development projects.
4. Erosion of Public Trust: Iraqis have increasingly lost faith in their government due to its inability to provide security, essential services, and economic opportunities, often blaming the entrenched elite networks.
5. Foreign Dependence: The deep state's alignment with foreign powers reduces Iraq's sovereignty. External actors often influence or dictate key decisions rather than national interests.

Consequences for Economic and Social Development

The impact of the deep state extends beyond politics into Iraq's economic and social fabric:

1. Economic Mismanagement: Deep-state actors' control of state resources leads to misallocating funds, hindering economic diversification and infrastructure development.
2. Widespread Poverty and Unemployment: Due to corruption and economic stagnation, many Iraqis struggle with poverty and lack of job opportunities, further fueling discontent and unrest.
3. Hindrance to National Reconciliation: Sectarian and ethnic divisions, often exploited by deep state actors, prevent genuine reconciliation efforts, prolonging social tensions and conflicts.

Potential Solutions and the Way Forward

Addressing the deep state's influence in Iraq requires significant political and institutional reforms:

1. Strengthening Democratic Institutions: Independent judiciary, electoral transparency, and accountability mechanisms must be reinforced to limit deep state interference.
2. Combating Corruption: Implementing stricter anti-corruption laws, improving transparency in government transactions, and empowering watchdog organizations can reduce elite manipulation.
3. Reducing Foreign Dependence: Iraq should work toward a balanced foreign policy prioritizing national interests over external influences.
4. Empowering Civil Society: Encouraging activism, independent media, and grassroots movements can help hold the government accountable and push for reforms.
5. Security Sector Reform: Demilitarizing politics, integrating militias into a unified national force, and ensuring civilian control over security agencies can reduce the deep state's grip on power.
6. Empower the fourth power: The media can play an important role in exposing corruption and those behind it. Also, we must distinguish between the free media and those who work for the deep state. The free media system must be protected legally.

Conclusion

The "Deep State" is often associated with conspiracy theories. The deep state has profoundly shaped Iraq's political landscape, repeatedly undermining democracy, economic stability, and social cohesion. While efforts to dismantle its influence face significant challenges, reforms aimed at strengthening governance, reducing corruption, and empowering citizens offer a pathway toward a more stable and sovereign Iraq. Achieving these goals will require collective action from political leaders, civil society, and the international community to ensure a more transparent and accountable government for the Iraqi people.

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Saman Shali has a Ph.D. in Science (1981) from the University of Sussex. Dr. Shali worked as an Assistant Researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Sussex, King Saud University, and Pennsylvania State University. He is also a senior fellow at the Mediterranean Institute for Regional Studies.