مقالات مترجمة : Shadow Mafias: A State Within the State in Iraq
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By: Eng. Ali Jabbar – Crisis Management Specialistالمهندس علي جبار الفريجي
Since 2003, Iraq has been navigating a complex political landscape that was meant to lead the country toward a democratic, civilian-led state. However, reality has revealed a fragile structure dominated by forces operating beyond institutional control—forces now widely referred to as the “Shadow Mafias.” These mafias do not operate publicly, yet they have entrenched themselves in every corner of the Iraqi state. They were formed by influential political parties that have participated in successive governments and exploited the quota-based system to transform state institutions into tools of partisan control. Each party carved out its share of ministries, and within each ministry, shadow operatives act as the true decision-makers. These individuals, embedded within ministries, operate behind the scenes—controlling contracts, appointments, and even sensitive security files. Ministers have become mere figureheads, while real authority lies with party loyalists who remain unaccountable to parliament and unknown to the public. Despite their anonymity, they often wield more power than official government figures. This system has produced a chaotic and disjointed political scene. Public trust in government has eroded, and citizens increasingly believe that the state no longer serves their interests, but rather the interests of competing parties treating national institutions as spoils of war. At the same time, there are growing signs that this mode of governance is under both domestic and international pressure—pressure that may lead to an inevitable shift in political behavior. International forces, particularly the United States, have taken a clearer stance in recent months. Diplomatic discussions have increasingly centered on the “restructuring of power” in Iraq, with the goal of limiting the influence of non-state actors and curbing the reach of foreign-funded armed factions. The White House’s strategy toward Iraq appears to have entered a new phase—one focused on enforcing stability by strengthening state institutions and combating corruption, which is now seen as a direct threat to regional security. Washington seems to be treating Iraq as a testing ground for a broader regional strategy aimed at reducing the sway of certain regional powers, while promoting independent political leadership capable of regaining public trust. These pressures, combined with popular discontent, recurring protests, and the public exposure of widespread corruption, are bringing Iraq’s political class to a critical juncture: pursue genuine reform or face the gradual collapse of a system that no longer convinces even its staunchest supporters. Dismantling the shadow mafias will require more than superficial reforms or the replacement of faces. It demands genuine political will, robust legislation to separate party interests from state affairs, and a full restoration of the state’s authority and autonomy. Unless political forces initiate a fundamental rethink of their approach, both internal uprisings and external pressure will forge an alternative path—one that may be painful, but is increasingly seen by many Iraqis as the only remaining option.
