The Capitol Institute hosted a seminar at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on December 16, 2024, examining Iraq's political future under President-Elect Donald Trump's administration. Moderated by senior journalist Maria Maalouf, the event featured Professor AbdulNaser AlJanabi, a former Iraqi Council of Representatives member and leader of the National Council of the Iraqi Opposition, who provided a comprehensive analysis of Iraq's current situation and potential U.S. engagement.
AlJanabi outlined Iraq's demographic composition, noting Sunnis constitute 58% of the population, Arab Shiites 38%, and other groups 4%. He described the National Council of Opposition as a coalition of over 70 diverse groups formed to address Iraq's challenges through unified action. The Iraqi politician expressed deep concerns about corruption in past governments, emphasizing the need for sincere leadership committed to all Iraqis' welfare. He called for significant reforms, including suspending unjust execution sentences and releasing detainees through general amnesty, citing alarming figures of 300,000 detainees, 20,000 detained women, and 35,000 individuals unjustly sentenced to death.
Expressing optimism about future cooperation with the Trump administration, AlJanabi stated, 'We aim to strike genuine deals and agreements between a patriotic, non-corrupt Iraqi government and the incoming American administration. We want in Iraq, a state under the rule of law and justice.' He questioned the legitimacy of recent elections, claiming that '90 percent of the Iraqi people fully recognize that the recent elections were corrupt and false.' AlJanabi emphasized Iraq's natural resources' importance in driving economic development and reconstruction, extending an invitation to American corporations to contribute to rebuilding efforts and proposing a national salvation government to address immediate and long-term challenges.
The seminar underscored Iraq's complex issues in pursuing sovereignty, stability, and prosperity. AlJanabi and the National Council of Opposition highlighted the urgent need for transparent governance, justice, and sustainable development. The discussions marked a critical step in shaping discourse on Iraq's political future under a new U.S. administration. This seminar provides insights into potential shifts in U.S.-Iraq relations under the Trump administration and highlights challenges and opportunities for Iraq's political and economic future. The event's focus on rebuilding efforts, justice reform, and strategic partnerships could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international cooperation in the Middle East. The Capitol Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating dialogue between the Middle East and the United States, organized the seminar. For more information about the Capitol Institute and its initiatives, visit https://capitolinstitute.org.
