Climate Change, Covid-19, and Insurgency in Iraq

This chapter explains that Iraq is in the midst of two crises. First, it is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change and water stress putting stress on food security. Second is the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the pandemic has combined with other factors including collapsing oil prices, to drain Iraqi Government coffers of funds intended for social and war reconstruction programs. Meanwhile, extremist groups benefit from the chaos and are regaining strength. As another hot summer settles, unreliable social services and sporadic electricity coverage are diminishing popular perceptions of government legitimacy. The chapter concludes with observations about how the Government of Iraq may ameliorate this emerging issue.