Corruption is the forgotten legacy of the Iraq invasion
BrookingsApr 03, 2023
Report: UN Staff for Iraq Aid Project 'Demanding Bribes'
The Facts
An investigation led by The Guardian claims that employees of the UN's Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) program in Iraq have demanded and accepted bribes in return for the allocation of construction contracts.
The FFS was established in May 2015 by the UN Development Program (UNDP) with support from the Global Coalition Against Daesh [The Islamic State group] at the request of the Iraqi government and holds a budget of $1.88B. The project claims to focus on "rehabilitating public infrastructure and providing essential services" to conflict-affected areas.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Despite international attempts to revive Iraq following the US's disastrous 2003 invasion, opportunities for corruption have increased and initiatives to cure this institutional sickness have been at best bandaids on a fundamentally broken system. Though the US did not necessarily create these corrupt tendencies in Iraqi governance, its occupation reified already-existing patronage networks and created the conditions for an even more vast system of corruption.
Pro-establishment narrative
Iraq quietly continues to benefit from steady stability and growth — contrary to what cynical observers may say. Iraq is the victim of 40 years of war and misfortune as opposed to a hotbed for corruption, and while there have certainly been many examples of mismanagement since 2003, the country's future is bright. The current government has put Iraq back on the right track, and if it can remain secure it will continue toward prosperity.
Nerd narrative
There's a 45% chance of civil war in Iraq before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.