The Development Path : Opportunities and Challenges

Scientific Symposium

Under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Mushtak Talib Salih  Al-Neda  Honorable President of University of Anbar; and with the presence of Prof. Dr. Hadi Mishaan Rabie,  Dean of the College of Law, and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ali, Dean of the College of Political Sciences, the Center of Strategic Studies  hosted its inaugural scientific symposium entitled " The Development Path: Opportunities and Challenges." In collaboration with the College of Law and the College of Political Science, this symposium marks the first experience for the academic year 2024–2025. Director of the Center for Strategic Studies, Dr.Tareq Hamid AL-Fahdawi, chaired the session and welcomed the president of University of Anbar, and the deans of the faculties of political science and law in addition to the  professors and attendees from the center.

This scientific symposium covered the following four major subjects:Professor Dr. Ahmed Hussein Battal of the College of Administration and Economics discussed the economic significance of this project for Iraq if it is implemented in the first axis, entitled "The Economic Importance of the Development Path." If the idea succeeded, he projected that it would bring in almost $4 billion for Iraq every year.

 Assistant Prof. Dr. Arkan Ibrahim Adwan of the College of Political Sciences talked on the second axis, which was entitled "The impact of the development path on Iraq's regional and international relations." If the development path were to be completed, he noted, it would improve Iraq's ties both locally and internationally. He also mentioned the countries that have expressed support for the initiative, such as the State of Qatar,  United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, all of which have declared their intention to take part. However, the State of Kuwait and the Islamic Republic of Iran have expressed their concerns over the proposal on multiple occasions. Both of these countries believe that the project jeopardizes their own related initiatives, which include an Iranian-offered railway link connecting Iran, Iraq, and Syria that reaches all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The State of Kuwait, he continued, is afraid that the Grand Al-Faw Port, which will compete with the Mubarak Port, will be completed. Additionally, the development path, which will serve as an integrated, strategic route for the transportation of goods and commodities from Asia to Europe, has made Kuwait more fearful that trade will change its course.

Assistant Professor Dr. Issa Mahmoud Obaid of the College of Law addressed the third topic, "The role of international law in regulating relations between participating countries." He refers to the importance of international law in regulating interactions between countries participating in the intended development path, and what opportunities international law has provided for such strategic paths.

 Assistant Professor Dr. Falah Mubarak Bardan, Head of the Department of Future Studies and Crisis Management at the Center for Strategic Studies at University of Anbar, lectured on the fourth topic, "Future Prospects of the Development Path." Iraq will become a significant international corridor if this project is completed, which will elevate the significance of its geographic, political, and economic location. He also mentioned that numerous countries in the region have proposed paths that are identical to this one, making it unlikely that this project will be realized. One of these is the path that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested connecting India to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, passing through the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. He went on to say that the readings and reports suggest that Israel may be laying the groundwork for its future on the ruins of the Middle East conflict and its battle in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

During the symposium's conclusion, University of Anbar esteemed president, Prof. Dr. Mushtak Talib Al-Neda, thanked the Center for Strategic Studies for organizing this significant event and the colleges that took part. He also emphasized the necessity of growing the symposium in order to produce recommendations that could be given to Iraq's decision-makers to strengthen their view towards this strategic approach. A letter of thanks and appreciation for the researchers involved in this scientific symposium was also directed by the honorable president of the university.