Why Iraq says this road will fix the Middle East

Summary

Iraq is undertaking a $7 billion mega project, the Developmental Road Project, to build a 1200 km highway and railway to transform itself into a major trade node connecting Asia to Europe. The project aims to bypass the Red Sea and provide a safer, faster alternative for East-West trade, potentially generating 250,000 jobs and earning Iraq up to $4 billion annually in transit fees. However, the project faces challenges including environmental issues, corruption, and regional disputes. Despite these, success could shift Iraq from a hub for extremism to a cornerstone of international trade.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Iraq is constructing a massive Rail and Road Network to connect the Gulf region to the Mediterranean, aiming to boost trade and stability.
• 🤝 In April 2024, Iraq and Turkey signed over 24 deals, including agreements on water distribution and cooperation against the PKK.
• 💼 Iraqi diplomats are actively seeking investors and partnerships, including deals with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
• 🚧 The Iraqi Corridor is one of several vying for dominance in East-West trade, distinguishing itself by involving regional power brokers.
• 🏗️ The Grand Faw Port, a key part of the project, is set to become the largest in the region with a 15 km breakwater, the longest in the world.
• 🚚 The project aims to generate about 250,000 jobs and earn Baghdad up to $4 billion annually in freight transit fees.
• ⏱️ The Iraqi Corridor could cut the average time for Asian exports to Europe by up to 10 days, potentially siphoning off Red Sea trade.
• 🌐 Regional powers like the UAE and Qatar support the project, seeing it as a way to maintain influence and contain other regional powers.
• 🚧 The project faces challenges including environmental complications, corruption, and territorial disputes that could undermine its ambitions.
• ⚖️ The success of the Iraqi Corridor could reshape regional dynamics, affecting the balance of power and trade in the Middle East.

Q & A

What is the main goal of Iraq's massive Rail and Road Network project?

The main goal of Iraq's project is to connect the Gulf region to the Mediterranean, facilitating billions of dollars in trade and potentially increasing the country's prosperity and stability.

What significant meeting took place in Baghdad in April 2024?

In April 2024, Baghdad hosted a meeting between Turkish and Iraqi leadership, marking the first such meeting in 13 years, where they signed over 24 deals.

What commitments were made by Turkey and Iraq during their April 2024 meeting?

Turkey agreed to be more generous in the distribution of water in the Tigris and Euphrates, while Iraq committed to taking a stronger stance against PKK militants.

How does Iraq's project fit into the competition for East-West trade dominance?

Iraq's project aims to involve regional power brokers rather than exclude them, setting it apart from other corridors like the Chinese-backed Middle Corridor, Russian-backed North-South Corridor, and the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor.

What are the environmental complications that could hinder Iraq's developmental ambitions?

Environmental complications, corruption, and ongoing territorial disputes are challenges that could undermine Iraq's ambitions for its developmental Road Project.

What is the significance of the Grand Faw Port in Iraq's developmental Road Project?

The Grand Faw Port, located on an artificial island at the mouth of the Shatt Al Arab River, is set to become the largest port in the region and is a key component of Iraq's plan to transform into a major trade node.

How does the Iraqi Corridor project potentially impact the Red Sea trade?

If successful, the Iraqi Corridor could cut the average time for Asian exports to Europe by up to 10 days, potentially siphoning off trade from the Red Sea and impacting Cairo's revenue from freight levies.

What are the geopolitical implications of the Iraqi Corridor for neighboring countries?

The Iraqi Corridor could affect regional power dynamics, potentially reducing Iran's influence and undermining its role as the anchor of the Gulf region, while also providing Turkey with an opportunity to increase its trade and defense cooperation with Iraq.

How does the instability in the Red Sea affect the viability of the Iraqi Corridor?

The instability in the Red Sea could make Iraq's offer of a safer and faster alternative for East-West trade more attractive, potentially giving the Iraqi Corridor an advantage over other routes.

What are the internal challenges Iraq faces in implementing the developmental Road Project?

Internal challenges include corruption, sectarianism, militarism, and the risk of insolvency, which could hinder the progress and success of the developmental Road Project.

Outlines

00:00

🚞 Iraq's Vision for a New Trade Corridor

Iraq is undertaking a massive infrastructure project to establish a rail and road network that will connect the Gulf region to the Mediterranean, aiming to boost trade and stability. In April 2024, a significant meeting in Baghdad between Turkish and Iraqi leaders resulted in over 24 deals, including agreements on water distribution and security cooperation against the PKK. Following this, Iraq secured investments from Qatar and the UAE. The project is part of a larger competition for East-West trade dominance, alongside Chinese and Russian-backed initiatives. Despite challenges like environmental issues, corruption, and territorial disputes, Iraq's approach of involving regional powers rather than excluding them sets it apart and holds the promise of transforming the country into a hub for international trade.

05:01

🌊 The Grand F Port and Iraq's Economic Ambitions

The Iraqi government is focusing on the development of the Grand F Port, which is expected to become the largest in the region with the capacity to handle significant containerized freight. The port, along with a 1200 km road and railway network, is central to Iraq's plan to become a major trade node, connecting Asia to Europe. The project is supported by international partners and is expected to generate substantial employment and revenue. The port's construction also serves as a territorial marker for Iraq. The transport corridor is designed to pass through major Iraqi cities, aiming to revitalize local economies and reduce demographic pressures on urban centers. The success of this corridor could significantly reduce shipping times and divert trade from the Red Sea, impacting regional economies and rivaling other trade initiatives like the India Middle East Economic Corridor.

10:03

🤝 Diplomatic Shifts and Regional Implications

Iraq's developmental road project has been met with a flurry of diplomatic and commercial activities, including a historic visit by the Turkish president. Despite past tensions over trade, security, and water access, Iraq and Turkey are now seeking closer cooperation. Turkey's support for the project is part of a broader reset in relations, with mutual benefits in trade and defense. Iraq's stance against the PKK has been a key factor in gaining Turkish support, while Turkey has agreed to assist with water management. The project has also garnered support from the UAE and Qatar, who see it as a means to contain Iranian influence and empower Iraqi sovereignty. However, the project faces opposition from Iran, which could lose significant financial influence and see its geopolitical strategies disrupted. The success of the Iraqi Corridor could reshape regional dynamics, affecting not only trade but also the balance of power in the Middle East.

15:05

⚓️ Geopolitical Challenges and the Future of Iraq's Corridor

The realization of Iraq's corridor faces significant geopolitical challenges, including disputes over maritime boundaries and the slim coastal territory available for port construction. Iraq's historical conflicts with Iran and Kuwait over maritime demarcations have implications for the project's feasibility. The country's institutional weaknesses, including corruption and inefficiency, also cast doubt on the mega project's success. Scandals regarding substandard construction materials and financial mismanagement further complicate matters. Neighboring Kuwait's plans for a competing port add to the challenges. Despite these obstacles, the project holds the potential to transform Iraq's economy and geopolitical standing, offering a path towards stability and prosperity for the region. The success of Iraq's corridor will depend on its ability to navigate these complex challenges and the support of its regional partners.

Keywords

💡Iraqi Corridor

The Iraqi Corridor refers to a massive rail and road network being constructed by Iraq, aiming to connect the Gulf region to the Mediterranean. This infrastructure project is designed to facilitate billions of dollars in trade and enhance the country's economic prosperity, potentially leading to greater stability. The video discusses how this corridor is different from other regional projects as it involves regional power brokers rather than excluding them, which is evident in Iraq's outreach to countries like Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

💡Grand Faw Port

The Grand Faw Port is a crucial component of Iraq's developmental Road Project. Located on an artificial island at the mouth of the Shatt Al Arab River, it is set to become the largest port in the region with the capacity to handle up to 36 million tons of containerized freight annually. The port's construction is well underway and is expected to be completed by 2038. The port symbolizes Iraq's maritime territorial claim and commitment to the developmental project, as mentioned in the script.

💡East-West Trade

East-West Trade in the context of the video pertains to the movement of goods and services between Asia and Europe. Iraq's Corridor project aims to become a major trade node in this global exchange, offering a safer and faster alternative route for trade, bypassing the Red Sea's current instability. The video highlights how this could transform Iraq into a cornerstone of international trade and reduce the average transit time for Asian exports to Europe by up to 10 days.

💡Regional Power Brokers

Regional Power Brokers are influential nations or entities within a specific geographic area that can affect political and economic outcomes. The video discusses how Iraq's Corridor project involves engaging these brokers, such as Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, rather than excluding them. This approach is contrasted with other regional projects and is seen as a strategic move to ensure the project's success and Iraq's role in regional stability.

💡PKK

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is a militant and political organization that has been involved in conflict with Turkey and is considered a terrorist organization by several countries. In the video, it is mentioned that Iraq has agreed to take a stronger stance against the PKK as part of its deal with Turkey, which includes formal banning of the organization and allowing Turkish operations against the PKK on Iraqi soil.

💡Water Rights

Water Rights are legal rights or entitlements that allow water to be used from a particular source. The video discusses how water distribution in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has been a point of tension between Turkey and Iraq. As part of the improved relations and agreements, Turkey has agreed to be more generous in the distribution of water, which is crucial for Iraq's agriculture and development.

💡Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure Development refers to the creation and improvement of basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. In the video, Iraq's efforts to develop its infrastructure through the construction of the Grand Faw Port and the 1200 km highway and railway are highlighted. These developments are seen as essential for Iraq's economic growth and its ability to become a major trade node.

💡Economic Corridors

Economic Corridors are networks of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure that facilitate the movement of goods and services, thereby promoting trade and economic growth. The video outlines several such corridors, including the Chinese-backed Middle Corridor, the Russian-backed North-South Corridor, and the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor. These corridors are in competition, and Iraq's Corridor is positioned to involve regional power brokers, setting it apart.

💡Geopolitical Competition

Geopolitical Competition refers to the struggle between nations or groups for power and influence over a particular region. The video discusses how the development of the Iraqi Corridor is part of a larger geopolitical competition for dominance in East-West trade routes, with various countries backing different corridors. This competition is influenced by factors such as trade, security, and regional influence.

💡Institutional Dysfunction

Institutional Dysfunction describes the inability of an organization or system to perform its functions effectively due to internal issues such as corruption, inefficiency, or lack of coordination. The video mentions that Iraq's history of conflict and instability has left it with institutional dysfunction, which poses a challenge to the successful implementation of large-scale projects like the developmental Road Project.

Highlights

Iraq is constructing a massive Rail and Road Network to connect the Gulf region to the Mediterranean.

The project aims to boost trade and stability in Iraq.

In April 2024, Baghdad hosted a meeting with Turkish and Iraqi leadership, resulting in over 24 deals.

Turkey agreed to be more generous in water distribution, while Iraq committed to stronger action against PKK militants.

Iraqi diplomats reached out to Qatar and the UAE to secure investments.

The Iraqi project competes with other East-West trade corridors backed by China and Russia.

Iraq's Corridor involves regional power brokers rather than excluding them.

Environmental complications, corruption, and territorial disputes could undermine the project.

The project could transform Iraq into a cornerstone of international trade.

The Grand Faw Port is set to become the largest in the region with a capacity of 36 million tons of containerized freight annually.

The Iraqi Corridor is expected to generate 250,000 jobs and earn Baghdad up to $4 billion annually in freight transit fees.

The project could cut 10 days off the average time for Asian exports to Europe.

Iraq seeks to rival the India Middle East Economic Corridor with the support of Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE.

The success of the project hinges on the Grand Faw Port and the 1200 km Highway and Railway.

The project faces challenges from Iran, which could lose influence if the Iraqi Corridor succeeds.

Iraq's geopolitical centrality is both a blessing and a curse, being at the center of regional conflicts.

The project's success could revitalize Iraq's rural areas and reduce demographic pressure on major cities.

The Iraqi Corridor could siphon off Red Sea trade, affecting Cairo's revenue from freight levies.

The project faces internal challenges such as corruption and the risk of insolvency.

Kuwait's plans to build a parallel port could create competition in the region.

A stable and prosperous Iraq could have a transformative effect on the Middle East.

Transcripts

[Music]

Iraq is making its great comeback it is

constructing a massive Rail and Road

Network connecting the Gulf region to

the Mediterranean billions of dollars of

trade will flow through the country and

with greater Prosperity comes greater

stability at least that's the idea Iraqi

lawmakers are working tirelessly to get

everyone on board in April 2024 Baghdad

hosted a meeting between the Turkish and

Iraqi leadership it was the first such

meeting in 13 years and the two signed

over 24 deals among other things turkey

agreed to be more generous in the

distribution of water in the Tigris and

Euphrates while Iraq will take a

stronger stance against pkk

militants immediately following the

Turkish deal Iraqi diplomats reached out

to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to

secure investors signing additional

agreements in the process the Iraqi

project is one of several Ving for

dominance in East West Trade there is

the chinese-backed middle Corridor which

goes from Central Asia across the

Caspian Sea and then into turkey there

is also the russian-backed north south

Corridor this one goes from Moscow to

Baku tan and then Mumbai the third is

the India middle east Europe economic

Corridor a bit of a mouthful but it

traverses the UAE Saudi Arabia Israel

and Greece before landing in Europe

Iraq's Corridor is different from the

competition because it looks to involve

Regional power Brokers rather than

exclude them which explains the Iraqi

Outreach standing in baghdad's way

however are environmental complications

crippling corruption and ongoing

territorial disputes these troubles

could undermine baghdad's ambitions

before the cement is dry even so the

benefits outweigh the risks if it comes

through the project could transform Iraq

from a breeding ground for extremism to

a Cornerstone of international trade no

wonder the Iraqis believe this road

could fix the Middle

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[Music]

ODU Iraq has seen it

wealth power conflict treason poverty

and collapse its Geographic centrality

has blessed and cursed it in equal

measure in recent times it has been at

the center of regional conflicts whether

it's Iran versus Israel Saudi and Syrian

negotiations or even Turkish

counterinsurgency operations anything

and everything that takes place in the

Middle East inadvertently drags Iraq

into the equation

that is what happens when you sit in the

center of things now Baghdad hopes to

leverage that centrality for its own

benefit through a$7 billion Mega project

labeled the developmental Road Project

Baghdad seeks to transform itself into a

major trade node connecting the

manufacturers of Asia to the consumer

economies of the Middle Eastern Europe

by laying a 1200 km Highway and a

parallel Railway from north to south

across its territory Iraqi policy makers

seek to connect the bustling Gulf region

to the Turkish Hinterland the timing

couldn't be better while the Red Sea

observes unease and instability Iraq

wants to transform itself into a dry

canal and develop a safer and faster

alternative for East West Trade it's a

bold move if it works the corridor could

provide Iraq with the keys to prosperity

and Independence not just for itself but

for the wider region since whatever

happens in Iraq affects all the Middle

East not surprisingly the Iraqi Corridor

has found plenty of Partners far a field

with conglomerates such as South Korea's

deu and Italy's technal taking part

however the key to the Project's success

is the grandf port located on an

artificial Island at the mouth of the

shat Al Arab River the port is set to

become the largest in the region

according to technal it will include 99

births and be capable of handling up to

36 million tons of containerized freight

annually which is about 4 million

General container units for comparison

that is nearly the capacity of Port SED

in Egypt or Abu Dhabi port in the United

Arab

Emirates construction of the grandall

Port is well underway and Baghdad

expects to complete it by

2038 the immense scale of the project

has already made headlines worldwide

with the port's 15 km Breakwater

recorded as the longest in the world

beyond the publicity generated by the

move the Breakwater serves as a concrete

marker of Iraq's claimed Maritime

territory and a symbol of baghdad's

commitment to the project meanwhile on

land the Iraqi government has begun work

on the construction of 1200 kilm of Road

and Railway starting at the grandf Port

the planed transport Corridor snakes

northward skirting major population

centers such as Basra daania Naf carala

Baghdad takit and mosul before

terminating at the border zone of ovako

in Southeastern turkey there the

transport Corridor connects to the

European market via turkey's existing

utool Expressway and planed trans

Anatolian railway lines taken together

the Iraqi Corridor will generate about

250,000 jobs and earn Baghdad up to $4

billion annually in Freight Transit fees

while transporting up to 40 million tons

of cargo per year but that's just the

tip of the iceberg should the Iraqi

Corridor succeed it would cut up to 10

days of the average time for Asian

exports to Europe in doing so Iraq would

be siphoning off the Red Sea trade which

generates Cairo up to $10 billion per

year in Freight levies admittedly the

Iraqi Corridor cannot replace the Suez

Canal in totality but it will

nevertheless tap into the growth in East

West Commerce which is expected to

expand at a rate of 15% % per anom

moreover as the Iraqi project develops

expanding up the length of the country

and skirting major population centers

policy makers hope that local businesses

will tap into each node in the transit

Corridor effectively creating a value

chain in the process doing so would

Revitalize Iraq's suffering rurality and

pull demographic pressure away from the

center of the major cities yet baghdad's

and Ambitions are bigger than just the

Middle East in partnering with turkey

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates Iraq

seeks to rival the India Middle East

economic Corridor that initiative which

has received vocal support from the

United States and the European Union

envisions a Transit Corridor that begins

in India and traverses the UAE Saudi

Arabia Jordan and Israel before arriving

in the ports of Southern Europe by

enrolling the Gulf States into a Transit

Corridor Washington effectively locks

out Chinese efforts in the region in a

way what we're seeing in the Middle East

is a battle of corridors each route has

its own perks and faults and is subject

to different terms in recent months the

Gaza conflict has all but invalidated

the India Middle East economic Corridor

since it tries to involve both Israel

and Saudi Arabia in the same route now

especially with the instability in the

Red Sea the Iraqi Corridor May yet come

out on

[Music]

top drawing lines through Maps is

perhaps the most thrilling part of

geopolitics if only things were so easy

since announcing the project in May 2023

Iraq has had a flurry of diplomatic and

Commercial activ it including the

historic visit by the Turkish president

in April

2024 despite the proximity of the two

countries disagreements over trade

security and access to fresh water have

kept relations between Ankara and

Baghdad at arms length for decades

turkey's Water Resources have been a

continual point of tension with Turkish

and Iraqi lawmakers often in dispute

over access within the Euphrates Tigress

Basin lacking a hydrocarbon industry of

its own Upstream damning has remained a

core part of turkey's energy

Independence a matter that Turkish

officials have been quick to site in

discussions with their petroleum Rich

Southern Neighbors in addition to access

to water trilateral relations between

Iraq the Kurdistan Regional government

and turkey remain tense between Baghdad

and air Bill disputes over petroleum and

Customs revenues have remained a

constant barrier to the centralization

of authority to complicate matters the

Kurdistan Regional government itself

remains divided between the KDP and the

PUK short for the Kurdistan Democratic

party and the Patriotic Union of

Kurdistan respectively while the KDP and

turkey maintain a close relationship the

PUK based in Sol Mania is supported by

Iran this agreement between the two

Kurdish parties has prevented stable

governance in the Iraqi Kurdistan region

this has in turn allowed Kurdish

militants such as the Kurdistan Workers

Party or pkk to use Iraqi Kurdistan as a

launching point for attacks against

turkey consequently Turkish intervention

in Iraqi Kurdistan including the

construction of over 40 Turkish military

outposts has been characteristic of the

prevailing status quo a fact that is

resented by authorities in Baghdad with

common interests however even the most

estranged Brothers can Embrace and

Ankara stands to gain significantly in

both trade and defense if it works with

Iraq having been excluded from the India

Middle East economic Corridor Ankara has

declared its support for baghdad's

initiative as part part of a broader

reset in relations Iraq took measures to

crack down on the pkk formally Banning

the organization prior to the Turkish

presidential visit in doing so Baghdad

has given the green light for further

Turkish operations against the pkk in

return the Turks have committed to

opening Upstream Valves and providing

Baghdad with technology and assistance

for water management and irrigation for

for Iraq a tough stance against the

outlawed pkk is a small tradeoff in

return for greater cooperation with

turkey on water rights and

infrastructure development meanwhile for

turkey the creation of a fortified

coridor bisecting the Syrian and Iraqi

portions of Kurdistan is about more than

just economics it's about foreign policy

a point of view that is shared by Iran

Iraq's developmental Road has caught the

eyes of regional power Brokers the

United Arab Emirates and Qatar have

signed a joint declaration in support of

the project while the UAE had served as

a critical Link in the India Middle East

economic Corridor the emiratis no longer

see it as a viable platform and want to

keep their options open thus the UAE

pursues engagement with Iraq as a mean

of minerally containing Iranian

influence whilst empowering Iraqi

sovereignty for Qatar common ground is

found in divesting away from great

powers and towards more Regional

ownership in addition Doha has thrown

its Financial backing behind the project

in hopes of maintaining influence over

its development that being said not all

of Iraq's neighbors have been so

welcoming Tran stands to lose the most

if the Iraqi Corridor succeeds Not only

would Baghdad become increasingly

independent of Tan's Financial influence

but Iran's traditional role as the

Anchorage of the Gulf region would be

severely undermined as trade diverts

westward in addition the same Iraqi

Corridor would also likely interrupt the

flow of Iranian weapons into Syria while

also restricting Iran's proxy groups

from operating nearby

consequently Iranian backed groups such

as Iraqi Hezbollah have already

expressed their concerns about the plan

something that can be interpreted as

nothing less than a direct warning from

tan Iranian influence extends beyond the

Shia militias in Iraq's South Tan has

maintained close relations with both the

political P UK and the militant pkk

through whom it maintains a multilateral

policy with regard to n bring Syria so

should tyon wish to push back on Baghdad

and ankara's plans it has a collection

of tools by which to do so for Iraq

blowback from neighboring Iran poses the

greatest danger to the feasibility of

its Corridor even if the Iraqis could

navigate through the Maze of political

opponents outlawed militants and foreign

proxies there would still be more

disputes further south in the sea as it

stands Iraq's total coastline is quite

slim measuring just 58 km from end to

end this means the construction of the

grand fall Port is taking place within

an extremely tight Maritime space Iraq

is essentially a massive Warehouse with

a tiny door while such statements are

made in just they are descriptive of a

larger problem in Iraq's

geopolitics since Independence in 1932

Baghdad has sought to push back against

both the Iranian and the Kuwaiti

Maritime demarcations a posture that

ultimately resulted in the catastrophic

Iran Iraq war and the Gulf War Decades

of Destruction upon destruction left

Iraq institutionally dysfunctional and

plagued by the state vices of corruption

sectarianism and militarism such

problems cast doubt on Mega projects

such as the develop Road already

scandals have abounded regarding the

import and use of subpar equipment in

construction where the money has

successfully been applied in full it

often hasn't been enough the constant

risk of insolvency as well as the ever

increasing expenses of the project are

steadily becoming prohibitive for

lawmakers in Baghdad while Iraq

struggles with institutional weaknesses

neighboring Kuwait has announced plans

to build a parallel port a Stones throw

away from Iraq's grandall Port thus in

the decades ahead we could have two

major multi-billion dollar ports sitting

across from one another but this region

isn't big enough for both so only one

will remain in all Iraq is the glue that

holds the Middle East together but it is

also the Catalyst that keeps breaking it

if there is one thing that all the

regional power Brokers can agree on it

is that a stable and prosperous Iraq

could fix the Middle East an alliance in

purpose wins

battles I've been your host chivon from

Caspian report thank you for your time

and so

[Music]