When Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani sat down with King Charles III in London on January 14, the symbolism could not have been more profound. Twenty years after the fall of Saddam Hussein's hated regime, Iraq has emerged not as a supplicant nation but as a sovereign partner, signing multi-billion pound deals with one of the world's leading economies.

The initial GBP12.3bn partnership agreement between Britain and Iraq represents far more than its considerable monetary value. It shows Iraq's transformation from a pariah state under Saddam to a nation actively courted by global powers both east and west. This is not the Iraq of 2003, broken by decades of dictatorship and war. This is a new Iraq – one that negotiates massive infrastructure projects, commits to environmental goals and has the CEOs of BAE, BP and Shell turn up on the same day.

For those who have been following Iraq for the past twenty years, one will know that years of bloodshed, invasions, occupation by the US (and Britain no less) marked a sad turn in the millennial history of the country. Millions have died since the Iran-Iraq war, which the subsequent years of food aid programme era saw much of the country’s liberal and intellectual class depart, never to return for fear of the Saddam regime. Indeed, al-Sudani’s own family history is his testament to that legacy, with his father having been murdered by Ba’athist thugs due to his being a member of the outlawed Islamic Dawa Party. Following the US occupation of the country, the now prime minister was tasked by his predecessor to find the thousands of mass graves across the country from the Saddam Hussein regime.

What makes this visit particularly significant is its comprehensive nature. The agreements span everything from water infrastructure and power grids to sorely needed 5G networks and tertiary education deals which would make those in Tehran weep at the opportunity handed to Iran. When Shell CEO Wael Sawan expresses eagerness to increase investments in Iraq's energy sector, it signals that global business leaders now see Iraq as a serious investment destination, not just a geopolitical challenge.

Most telling is the security cooperation aspect. That British National Crime Agency (NCA) officers are now operating in Iraqi Kurdistan to combat human trafficking networks demonstrates a level of trust and cooperation that would have been unthinkable in the immediate post-Saddam era. This is not intervention, but collaboration between equal partners facing shared challenges. Kurdish smuggling gangs have been the thorn in multiple European governments’ backsides for years, so by grappling the situation by the scruff of its neck, despite previous efforts over the years to “tackle the gangs”, is surely seen as a win for the Labour administration.

The educational component – with 2,000 Iraqi students set to study in British universities – further highlights this shift in status of the country. The only Iraqis most people have seen in recent years are those claiming asylum, and actually allowing them through on streamlined visa service is also a change in status at least in the UK. Most of all, Iraq’s youth are now building human capital and long-term connections, not just becoming a brain drain on the country and its resources.

Emerging calm

Central to this emerging stability is the maturing political landscape, characterised by efforts to address sectarian divides that have long plagued governance. The establishment of a functional coalition government following the 2021 parliamentary elections marked a turning point. Unlike the drawn-out stalemates of previous years, this transition was relatively smooth, signifying a growing willingness among political factions to prioritise national interests over factional rivalries.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani's administration has taken measured steps to foster trust in governance. His commitment to tackling corruption, improving public services and engaging with Iraq's diverse communities has resonated with citizens weary of unfulfilled promises. The government's focus on rebuilding infrastructure and revitalising key sectors such as energy and agriculture demonstrates an understanding of the urgent need for tangible progress.

Iraq's security environment, though still fragile, has improved markedly. The defeat of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in 2017 laid the groundwork for greater stability, allowing the government to reclaim control over most of the country's territory. While challenges persist – most notably the influence of militias and external actors – the Iraqi Armed Forces have shown increased capacity to maintain security and slowly brought in the Iran aligned forces which have plagued his administration.

Economically, Iraq has begun to capitalise on its abundant resources. Rising oil revenues have provided the government with funds to invest in critical infrastructure and social programmes. However, economic diversification remains a pressing issue. Reliance on oil exports leaves Iraq vulnerable to market fluctuations, underscoring the need for policies that promote sustainable growth and private sector development. The 2019 Tishreen protests demonstrated the growing influence of Iraq's youth in national politics. Despite initial repression, these demonstrations led to meaningful electoral reforms and continue to shape the country's political discourse.

Internationally, Iraq has sought to position itself as a bridge between regional powers, hosting diplomatic dialogues and promoting economic cooperation. By balancing relationships with neighbours such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, Iraq has taken cautious steps toward becoming a stabilising force in a volatile region. These efforts to foster dialogue are indicative of a more confident and pragmatic foreign policy.

Al-Sudani's op-ed in the right-wing The Sunday Telegraph, where he positioned Iraq as a partner in regional stability amid escalating Middle East tensions, reveals how far Iraqi diplomacy has come. This is a leader speaking with authority about global challenges, not merely focusing on domestic reconstruction.

The transformation hasn't been easy or complete. Iraq still faces significant challenges, from infrastructure needs to security concerns. But al-Sudani's London visit represents a crucial milestone: the moment when post-Saddam Iraq demonstrated it could engage with global powers on equal terms, pursuing its national interests through diplomacy and trade rather than conflict and isolation.

This visit to London isn't just another diplomatic stopover – it's a declaration that Iraq has emerged from the shadow of its past. The country that was once synonymous with conflict is now signing landmark clean energy commitments and digital infrastructure deals. That's not just a policy shift; it's a generational transformation.

As Iraq commits to ending gas flaring by 2028 and modernising its infrastructure, it's clear that Baghdad is looking toward the future rather than remaining trapped by its past. The meetings in London this January may well be remembered as the moment when post-Saddam Iraq truly came of age on the global stage.

As al-Sudani wrote in the Telegraph op-ed “Iraq is committed to building partnerships based on shared interests and forward-looking vision.”