Is corruption in Iraq impossible to beat?

25/03/2021 17 min
Is corruption in Iraq impossible to beat?

Listen "Is corruption in Iraq impossible to beat?"

Episode Synopsis

Iraq is listed as the 20th most corrupt country in the world in the latest ranking by anti-corruption organisation Transparency International. Venality is rampant in a country still emerging from the shadows of multiple wars, terrorism and long-time sanctions.


One aspect of this is the widespread practice of government jobs for bribes. Despite laws that criminalise both the briber and the bribe-taker, fresh graduates desperate for jobs say they have no other option. Since 2003, job creation has mainly been a government task.


In this week's Beyond the Headlines host Ahmed Maher asks: is corruption in Iraq impossible to beat?