Analysis of the negative and positive elements in the strategic reality of Iraq

Abstract

The geographical and human vulnerability factors are fundamental weakness point in Iraq. They constitute effective pressure elements on makers of foreign policy.  As this point of weakness could be used effectively by geographical neighboring countries such as Turkey and Iran, which would give a high probability of escalation of external interference levels whenever social or political crises are happened. The first weakness factors that characterize the strategic reality of Iraq lies in its geographical location, which can be diagnosed through the quality of the long borders and the lack of strategic depth as well as lacking of marine views represented the knot in the Iraqi foreign policy.  Iraq's dependence on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flowing outside its territory. Moreover,  their tributaries will make Iraq vulnerable to bargains on the use of waters of these rivers, which affected the agricultural reality as an economic power. This  means that the geographic weakness would have an influence  upon the decline in the economic power. Since the power of the state is measured through a comprehensive analysis of its  all elements, the manpower is also considering the study of geographical strengths.  Especially, t many of the elements of economic strength depends on the human quantum and kind for Iraq. We find that the ethnic, sectarian and religious diversity of a society is often a weak element affecting the power of the state, especially that this diversity was as a bridge neighboring countries crossed by to intervene in the affairs of Iraqi politics.