The Rise of Iraqi/Arab Nationalism in Iraq (2003-2020)

The hegemony of the discourse of political Islamism after 2003, sectarian strife, and the rise of ISIS in 2014 have been factors that have underestimated the impact of Iraqi-Arab nationalism on the new Iraqi political arena. But Iraqi-Arab nationalism has long roots in modern Iraqi history and until 2003, in the form of various models, was the dominant discourse in the political arena. The effects of this political discourse have been evident since the occupation of Iraq. This influence can be seen in the victory of some secular and religious nationalist political forces in the elections, the political speech of the political leaders, and their efforts to balance Iraq's relations with other countries. The present article not only deals with the two main nationalist discourses in the history of modern Iraq but also discusses the important role of this ideology after 2003. It seems, according to the ineffectiveness of political parties dominating the political scene in these two decades and the numerous challenges facing stable and democratic governance in this country, the resort to the nationalist discourse and its role in political mobilization will increase in the future.