Egyptian researcher: Climate is Iraq's next threat after ISIS

Tamer Badawi, an Egyptian researcher on armed conflicts and regional security, discussed the most prominent challenges facing Iraq in the post-ISIS era, noting that climate change and water scarcity have become one of the main causes of conflicts in the country.

Badawi emphasized that these environmental threats require broad regional cooperation with neighboring countries, such as Iran, Syria and Arab countries, to avoid future crises that threaten security and stability.

Iraq can play the role of a "bridge for regional dialogue" by using the Development Road project as a platform to integrate joint environmental, agricultural and water projects with neighboring countries, he said.

Badawi suggested that the development road project should include integrated initiatives to combat the effects of climate change by linking it to joint agricultural and water projects with neighboring countries, thereby enhancing economic and environmental stability in the region.

He also praised the role of Iraqi think tanks, such as the Iraqi Institute for Dialogue, in building regional consensus and providing strategic visions that enhance Iraq's ability to play an effective role in managing climate challenges and related conflicts, in coordination with Iraqi state institutions.