The Intelligence from The Economist Iraq in a hard place: deadly protests continue
Oct 31, 2019
Benjamin Sutherland, The Economist's technology and defense writer, discusses the protests in Iraq, examining the personal stories of demonstrators facing violence and the socio-political issues fueling unrest. He also introduces Damasquok, an innovative Lithuanian software tackling fake news, highlighting its effectiveness in debunking misinformation, including recent examples of disinformation related to German soldiers. Additionally, the conversation touches on Germany's cultural debate over speed limits on the Autobahn, revealing public sentiment and political implications.
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Iraqi Protester's Story
- Ali Al-Bermani, an engineering student, was shot at a protest in Iraq and his friend was killed.
- He protests because Iraq lacks public services despite the past 16 relatively calm years.
Karbala Incident and Baghdad Protests
- In Karbala, government-backed militias fired upon protesters, leading to conflicting reports about casualties.
- This incident fueled further protests in Baghdad, described as a carnival-like atmosphere of defiance.
Iraq's Unchanged Political Landscape
- Iraq's political class, unchanged since 2003, has overseen increased oil production and revenue.
- Despite this, rebuilding is slow, basic services are lacking, and poverty is widespread, leading to public resentment.