Economist Podcasts Iraq, a hard place: 20 years after the invasion
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Mar 24, 2023 
Nick Pelham, the Middle East correspondent for The Economist, shares deep insights on Iraq two decades after the U.S. invasion. He highlights Baghdad's bustling marketplaces and the gradual recovery amid still-present challenges. Leo Marani, the Asia correspondent, discusses India's ambitious railway updates and their potential to bolster the economy. They explore the disillusionment among Iraqi youth and the complexities of India's infrastructure growth, delivering a thought-provoking dialogue on recovery, resilience, and the road ahead.
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Baghdad's Revival
- Baghdad shows signs of life returning: a new central bank tower, a ring road lined with universities, and bustling shops.
- Even Western tour companies consider bringing tourists back to archaeological sites.
Horrific Costs of War
- The cost of stability and recovery has been immense, with up to 300,000 Iraqis killed and cities like Mosul left in ruins.
- The physical and mental scars of years of car bombs and suicide bombings affect every household.
Youth's Disillusionment
- Young Iraqis, who don't remember the dictatorship, see current woes like corruption and militia rule.
- They demand a strongman who can deliver, unlike the current political jostling.