Not Saudi Arabia or UAE, this Muslim country was once the most powerful in the Middle East, but was destroyed due to….

This Muslim country was once the center of the Abbasid Caliphate and a hub of knowledge until the 15th century. It flourished in trade, culture, and innovation, becoming a beacon of progress in education and technology.

The Israel-Hamas war has brought Arab nations into the spotlight. Qatar, a small country with a population of just 2.7 million, is mediating efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Recently, after Qatar’s negotiations, two American hostages were freed. In recent years, Qatar has risen significantly in the Middle East, leveraging its wealth from oil and gas to become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Once, Iraq held a similar position of prominence in the region, but today, it struggles for relevance.

Iraq’s Golden Era

Iraq was once the center of the Abbasid Caliphate and a hub of knowledge until the 15th century. It flourished in trade, culture, and innovation, becoming a beacon of progress in education and technology. Baghdad, its capital, was the most prosperous and powerful city in the Middle East. Iraq’s GDP and per capita income outshone all other Middle Eastern nations, and religious extremism had little presence during that time.

The Ottoman Era and Decline

From 1534 to 1918, Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire. Its decline began after World War I, when the British defeated the Ottomans and captured Baghdad. In 1921, the British appointed Faisal, son of Sharif Hussein of Mecca, as Iraq’s first king, initiating a period of unrest and resistance. Iraq gained formal independence in 1932 but suffered economic setbacks due to World War II when Britain again occupied the country.

The Rise of Saddam Hussein

After the British left, political instability continued. In 1962, Brigadier Abdul Karim Qasim overthrew the monarchy, but internal conflicts persisted. Saddam Hussein emerged as a key figure and, after years of maneuvering, became Iraq’s president in 1979. Under his rule, Iraq initially saw some stability.

Wars with Iran and Kuwait

However, Saddam’s tenure soon turned turbulent. In 1980, Iraq launched a devastating war against neighboring Iran, which lasted eight years and severely damaged Iraq’s economy. Just two years after the war ended, Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. This led to the U.S. and allied forces launching “Operation Desert Storm” in 1991 to liberate Kuwait, further crippling Iraq’s economy.

The U.S. Invasion and Iraq’s Fall

Already weakened by wars, Iraq faced a new challenge in 2003 when the U.S. invaded, accusing the country of developing weapons of mass destruction. Within 20 days, U.S. forces captured most Iraqi cities. Saddam Hussein was executed in 2006, marking the end of an era. Today, Iraq stands as a shadow of its former self, struggling to recover from decades of conflict and destruction.

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