Will al-Zaidi Restore Glory to the Afflicted Iraq?

Baghdad, once hailed as the "City of Knowledge and Books" during the Abbasid era, has a history marked by cycles of decline and resurgence. The article invokes the destruction of the "House of Wisdom Library" by the Mongols in 1258 CE as a historical precedent for periods of devastation followed by recovery.

This historical pattern, the article contends, has repeated in modern times, particularly after the 1958 overthrow of the monarchy, which it describes as involving "barbaric acts." The subsequent rise of Saddam Hussein and the Iran-Iraq War are cited as further examples of regional turmoil. A significant turning point, according to the author, was the 2003 invasion, which allegedly rewarded Tehran with control over Iraq's destiny, leading to Baghdad becoming a "hub for terrorism" and Iranian proxies allegedly entrenching corruption.

The article claims that since 2003, Iraqi public funds looted by these proxies have exceeded one trillion US dollars, according to various reports. This period is contrasted with the Abbasid Caliph Al-Nasir li-Din Allah, who is credited with restoring governmental prestige and eradicating corruption.

In this context, the emergence of a new force known as the "Third Way," represented by the new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, is presented. The article suggests that al-Zaidi is working to cleanse Iraq not only of financial corruption but also of the sectarian power-sharing system allegedly imposed by Hezbollah, aiming to restore the country's former glory.