‘Pathways to Peace’: Panel of experts explore ongoing regional challenges

DUHOK — The day’s second session of the Middle East Peace and Security Forum, held at the American University of Kurdistan in Duhok, brought together experts to discuss regional conflicts, the role of economy and security issues. Titled “Pathways to Peace: De-escalation, Collective Security, and Economic Integration,” the panel included diplomats, academics, and policy specialists.

Panelists included Steven Bitner, U.S. Consul General in the Kurdistan Region; Ambassador Jon Wilks, a former UK envoy to Iraq, Qatar, and Oman; Dr. Kristin Diwan of the Arab Gulf States Institute; Ali Sindi of the American University of Kurdistan in Duhok; and Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. The session was moderated by Christine Cheng of King’s College London.

Reflecting on his tenure in the U.S. State Department, Steven Bitner emphasized a shift in U.S.-Iraq relations: “For a lot of the last 20 years, the U.S. relationship with Iraq has been driven primarily by security issues and political issues. The United States has really emphasized to move forward re-orienting the relationship, to of course cover security issues, but also to include the economic agenda as a driving force in that relationship.”

Bitner pointed to the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement as a longstanding effort to incorporate economic, cultural, and environmental issues into bilateral relations. He added that the current administration under Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has bolstered this economic focus through initiatives like the High Coordination Committee between the U.S. and Iraq.

“It is very clear and obvious that this economic dimension between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the United States matters to all of these governments and our peoples,” Bitner said.

He highlighted the role of U.S. companies operating in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, describing them as “connective issues” that foster economic prosperity, stability, and peace. However, he underscored the importance of transparency and reducing corruption to ensure success.

Ali Sindi of the American University of Kurdistan emphasized the region’s strategic importance and economic challenges. “The Middle East is an East-West corridor all the time through history, so geopolitical position is very important, but also the natural resources of oil and gas,” he said.

Sindi identified political instability, economic fragmentation, and unemployment as pressing challenges, calling unemployment the region’s second-biggest issue after climate change. He noted that Iraq’s dependence on oil, accounting for 90% of its GDP, has hindered economic diversification. Sindi also cited the lack of sovereignty as a core problem for Iraq since its establishment.

Jon Wilks, reflecting on his diplomatic experience, acknowledged unresolved conflicts in the region. “There are conflicts in the Middle East which did not get resolved; they break out into conflict from time to time,” he said, attributing this to the absence of political solutions.

Wilks expressed optimism about Iraq’s stabilization efforts, stating, “There is a sense that Iraq is stabilizing, and there is a will among Iraq’s partners and friends not to give up. Iraq deserves better than what it has. We will always advocate for private sector, business investment environment, bringing people to trade and invest.” However, he cautioned that economic improvements alone cannot drive peace, describing the region as a “crisis zone” and a “political-earthquake zone.”

Dr. Kristin Diwan of the Arab Gulf States Institute described the Middle East as “in crisis right now, crying out for an end to the numerous sufferings that we see.” She pointed to escalating tensions following the Israel-Hamas conflict as a contributing factor to the instability.

Holly Dagres of the Atlantic Council highlighted discontent within Iran, referencing widespread protests after the death of Jina [Mahsa] Amini two years ago. “Those protests were actually documented by the United Nations as having crimes against humanity committed by the Islamic Republic,” she said.

Dagres explained that the protests were anti-regime in nature, driven by frustrations over mismanagement, repression, and corruption. “They were chanting that they do not want this regime. That sentiment still exists and the movement continues,” she added.