Iraq beyond 'Mosul': avoiding the next conflict
For the meeting summary click here.
On Tuesday 21 November 2017, Clingendael’s Conflict Research Unit organised a public panel discussion in The Hague about how further conflict in Iraq can be avoided. Reconciling Iraq’s different ethno-sectarian groups, reconstructing the many cities that were ruined in the fight against the Islamic State and the recent Kurdish referendum all present challenges for the country that could renew the very violence it is just emerging from.
The focus of the panel discussion will be how it can be ensured that the conclusion of the fight against the Islamic State is the beginning of the end, instead of the end of the beginning. Leading topics for discussion include:
- What are the key challenges that Iraq currently faces?
- How could these challenges trigger further conflict?
- What can the international community / The Netherlands do to help avoid such conflict?
Three speakers shared their perspectives on these matters, after which Monika Sie Dhian Ho (Director of Clingendael) facilitated a broader discussion:
- Saywan Barzani – The Iraqi ambassador to The Netherlands
- Ali Al-Mawlaki - Research director of the Al-Bayan Center for Planning and Studies
- Birgitta Tazelaar - Director of the Middle East directorate, Dutch Foreign Ministry
