Iraqi protests will drive populist economic response

Significance

This comes after Iraq on October 1-6 witnessed its most violent popular protests since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. The protests have subsided for now amid a muscular response from the authorities.

Impacts

• Iraq will likely suspend the 2020 provincial elections.
• State repression and internet control will intensify.
• The 2020 budget will substantially boost government spending.
• Iranian influence will increase, negatively affecting US-Iraq relations.