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Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/15168/iraqi-genie
Misunderstanding the Iraqi Uprising
(Gatestone Institute) Amir Taheri - Iraqi officials believe the uprising is prompted by lack of public services, poor economic performance, and widespread corruption. Although those factors do count, there is little doubt that the revolt has other, deeper roots. Today Iraq has better public services than a decade ago. The Iraqi economy is performing more robustly than that of Iran. The average Iraqi is materially better off than five years ago. It is hard for Iran's leaders, who claim to be spearheading a universal Shiite revival destined to conquer the world, to admit that their consulates and cultural offices are set on fire and their flags burned by fellow Shiites. The writer was the executive editor-in-chief of the daily Kayhan in Iran from 1972 to 1979.