The Middle East continues to face overlapping challenges due to internal fragilities, ranging from fraying social contracts, mounting socio-economic grievances and increased authoritarian tendencies, as well as the continuation of interstate rivalries that, alongside the legacy of foreign interventionism, have created considerable instability across the region. Iraq is particularly exposed to many of these crises, located at the centre of geopolitical clashes between various conflicting axes, but also undertaking multiple efforts to foster intra-regional dialogue and de-escalation.