Unfortunately, the reality that is impregnated on Iraqi soil is one of the saddest because living conditions in Iraq are one of the most complicated and challenging when compared to a world level (and this has been dragging on for decades by more diverse motivations). Some countries have similar situations, but Iraq stands out for a long-lasting war that has been decimating its people at an increasingly alarming level.
This dilemma is not exactly new to those who follow the least bit of news on TV, in the newspapers or on the Internet (because it is a very old problem that goes through generations and does not give any sign that it will end soon), but among the countless reasons that place this country in what appears to be an eternal war, stands out today the high level of corruption for which it has been recognized in the eyes of the world (and this is causing real outrage to the Iraqi people).
Precisely speaking, the main focus is on the following question: Although it is considered to be a rich oil country (which is one of the most contested elements in the world in countless trade wars waged between various countries), about 50% of its revenue has been destined to pay government employees. This has aroused the fury of the Iraqi people because in their view these officials work little to earn such high wages.
But the issue goes a little further and gets a little more worrying because these same officials are accused of using the values of the public coffers to raise their own income (becoming even richer and making the population even poorer) and also the income of its political sponsors (reinforcing that old real idea that politics is nothing but a big disgusting game of interests where the poorest people lose).
These diversions (which occur from the most subversive manners through very well-camouflaged schemes by high-powered entities) have put Iraq in an urgent state of alert that is hurting the nation in several areas, because according to a report released by Transparency International, When it comes to the perception of corruption, the country was ranked number 168 in a total of 180 countries evaluated globally.
The result is extremely worrying because it solidifies and allows the protests that are happening there to be acceptable (though not tolerable because they trigger risky situations where many innocent people may end up having to pay a high price for a fight that they are not involved) in the eyes of those who wish to do justice with their own hands and show that the people when united can make enough noise to disturb any government.
Amid so many violent protests (which have even surpassed the sad mark of 200 deaths along the way... a direct result of the clash among protesters, government soldiers and militia members), the people are fighting fiercely against unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure and so many other issues that need immediate attention. In the list of demands, the population also wants a reformulation of the country's political system.
The latest request is the hardest to fulfill (and it will probably be years before it is implemented with the rigor needed to be effective), because political reform in a country like Iraq means buying a complex fight and full of challenges, which involve not only broad powers but more open dialogue with the people (which today is totally inconsistent with the people who represent them at the summit where the political entities reside).
Iraq remains with uncertain fate (but waiting for better days always exists)... But the certainty that many other protests will be organized (and probably with a larger number of members) and will take place even more prominently is evident because once the people realize the strength of their voice, the tendency is for the population to speak louder and louder in their search for their rights to have a better and fairer country for all.