Iraq currently faces a complex set of intertwined challenges that strike at the core of its national security and regional stability, amid an internal environment characterized by political instability, declining trust in institutions, and the proliferation of weapons outside state control, in addition to accumulating economic and security threats. On the regional level, Iraq interacts with a turbulent regional environment marked by competition among regional and international powers for influence, as well as direct and indirect interventions in its internal affairs, placing it at the heart of intersecting crises and conflicts.

In light of these conditions, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive national security strategy spanning from 2025 to 2030, based on a deep understanding of threat sources, clearly defining national priorities, and investing in self-strengthening elements, whether human, geographical, or economic. Building such a strategy cannot be achieved without an accurate reading of the internal landscape and Iraq’s position in regional and international equations.