Economist Podcasts Clerical era: Iraq in a hard place
Oct 7, 2020
Nicholas Pelham, The Economist's Middle East correspondent, and Andrew Knox, a journalist for The Economist, dive into Iraq's multifaceted crises. They discuss how Iraq's government is losing legitimacy to clergymen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The duo analyzes the impact of social media moderation on war crimes investigations, pointing out the challenges it creates in documenting evidence. They also touch upon the potential revival of Cornwall's mining industry and the global lithium market, highlighting sustainability in the face of economic shifts.
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Clerical Power in Iraq
- Iraq's government is losing legitimacy to Shia ayatollahs and tribes.
- This power shift is evident in the Arba'een pilgrimage, where clerics set the rules, impacting the government's COVID-19 response.
Tribal Power Over State Law
- Tribesmen attacked Dr. Tariq Shabani after a COVID-19 patient died, highlighting the tribes' power.
- Officials advised him to drop charges, suggesting tribal law outweighs state law in Iraq.
Deteriorating Healthcare in Iraq
- Iraq's healthcare system is struggling with staff shortages and a lack of resources.
- Doctors are fleeing, and the government cannot afford new hires due to falling oil revenues.