International Researcher: Iraq Must Diversify Its International Partnerships Towards the Global East and South

Dr. Aiyjan Sharshenova, Executive Director of the Crossroads Central Asia Center and a research fellow at the Foreign Policy Center in London, emphasized the importance of Iraq, a country suffering from the effects of wars and seeking recovery, diversifying its international relations and not relying solely on traditional Western partners.

In a statement on the sidelines of her participation in the 7th Baghdad International Dialogue Conference in Baghdad, Sharshenova stressed that the Global South and the East offer vast opportunities for promising future projects, especially given the human capital and financial resources available in these regions.

She added that regional experience shows the difficulty of maintaining a balance between major powers, pointing to the challenges faced by countries like Iran in this context. She emphasized that achieving this balance requires a precise understanding of national priorities and the ability to manage international relations in a way that serves the country’s public interest.

She concluded her statement by stressing the importance of adopting realistic and flexible foreign policies, based on diversifying international partnerships and prioritizing national interests over political polarizations.