Contesting Sectarian Identity in Iraq

Although it’s still widely used by analysts and policymakers, the term “sectarianism” has distorted efforts to explain political dynamics in Iraq. Since 2003, Iraqi society has undergone significant transformations as a result of social, political, and other forces. Fanar Haddad discusses the drivers of political instability in Iraq. Sectarian dynamics have evolved, along with Iraqi views of nationalism. The political system has normalized, both domestically and regionally. A more inclusive notion of citizenship, Haddad argues, requires a strong institutional basis.

This podcast is part of “Citizenship and Its Discontents: The Struggle for Rights, Pluralism, and Inclusion in the Middle East” a TCF project supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

Participants include:

• Fanar Haddad, senior research fellow, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore
• Rohan Advani, senior policy associate, The Century Foundation