Three Iraqi women show purple ink on their fingers that indicates they have casted their votes in the most recent Iraqi election.
Iraq’s most recent elections have made headlines because of the less than expected amount of violence and riots that ensued. Despite there still being a significant amount of bombings and attacks leading up to and during the elections, Iraqi officials viewed this as a positive sign. Additionally, voter turnout reached nearly 60%, in light of constant threats from terrorists and horrific violence that has been on the rise. The Iraqi people saw this as a message being sent to those trying to stop the elections from happening as Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is quoted saying:
“The terrorists warned that the elections will not take place and they threatened the Iraqi people who challenged them back, they launched attacks and many Iraqis were martyred, but our people didn’t stop going to cast the ballots.”
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Despite constant and growing violence, Iraqis see these elections as a step in the right direction. Iraq looks to continue to develop and one thing that a stable country must have is a solid economy. Iraq’s economy has long struggled as a result of its small amount of production. The dependence on oil revenue is Iraq’s only significant source of production.
Iraq has recently struck a deal with English and Chinese Oil Service producers worth nearly $1 Billion for the Rumaila Oil Field. Britain-based Petrofac Ltd. and China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corp. have both been awarded deals to work in the field. It is hoped that this deal will spark the economy and help bring peace to a Nation that is desperately seeking stability.
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The Rumaila Oilfield is located in Iraq’s South East corner and is a main source of Iraq’s oil.
With a 60% voter turnout despite a great deal of rapidly growing violence in a very unstable Iraq, a clear message was sent: the people want change. And Iraq’s recent striking of oil deals to help bolster the economy would indicate that Iraqi officials are looking for improvement in their country just as much. Unfortunately, as Iraq already depends so heavily on its oil stockpile, a stable economy will not be achieved through the expansion of their oil production. The economy must find diversity through its means of production if it is to find a balanced, and predictable economy. While the people of Iraq are looking to the future in hopes for a stronger Iraq; their hopes remain but their dreams of prosperity and stability, rely solely on the unstable and unpredictability of the oil market.
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