Here at EPIC, we are thrilled to announce the release of the third episode of Iraq Matters: an EPIC podcast, bringing you the latest news, ideas, and conversations about Iraq from experts in the field.

In this episode, Professor Bilal Wahab of the American University of Iraq – Sulaimani (AUIS) tackles the crucial question: Does Iraq’s oil wealth help or harm the country’s (and Kurdistan Region’s) prospects for economic development and democracy? Episode three also features a compelling exchange between Phebe Marr and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) about Iraq’s progress in passing a hydrocarbon law. Additionally Musings on Iraq blogger Joel Wing gives us an Iraq Update, and for our Culture Corner, Ahmed Ali speaks on popular trends among the youth of Iraq.

From the epic of Gilgamesh to recent political developments ahead of next year’s national parliamentary elections, we believe that Iraq Matters and we’re passionately interested in matters of Iraq. We also believe in the importance of raising awareness about the humanitarian needs of 3 million Iraqis who remain displaced by violence and 6 million Syrians who have been forced to flee their homes, 200,000 of whom are refugees in Iraq today.

You can help by sharing our podcast with your friends and signing and sharing EPIC’s campaign to Put Iraq Back on the Agenda!

If you like like our podcast please subscribe to our iTunes or Stitcher. Knowledge is only useful when shared, ours is free and we encourage our listeners to help spread our podcast! We love to hear from our listeners, your feedback is incredibly valuable to our program. Please email your feedback and suggestions to IraqMatters@yahoo.com.

Tune in next week for a talk with Erik Gustafson on his recent trip to the refugee camps of the Kurdistan Region and an informative interview with Kyle Long from AUIS about education in Iraq.

Time Index

Introduction – 0:00

Lay of the Land and Campaign Update – 1:04

Iraq Update with Joel Wing – 4:32

Featured Guest Interview (part 1): Bilal Wahab – Oil and Economic Development – 6:26

Status of Iraq’s Hydrocarbon Law with Foreign Minister – 23:49

Featured Guest Interview (part 2): Bilal Wahab – Oil and Democracy – 28:50

Culture Corner with Ahmed Ali – 40:31

Endcap – 44:45