This Muslim Country was Once the Most Powerful in the Middle East - But Destroyed Due To...
Arab countries have gained attention as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The tiny nation of qatar, which has a population of only 2.7 million, is mediating attempts to gain the release of hostages that Hamas is holding.
Two American captives were recently released following negotiations with Qatar. By using its oil and gas resources to create one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, qatar has become a major player in the Middle east in recent years. iraq used to be similarly prominent in the area, but these days it is struggling to stay relevant.
The Golden Age of iraq
Up to the fifteenth century, iraq was a center of knowledge and the seat of the Abbasid Caliphate. It thrived in invention, trade, and culture, emerging as a ray of hope for advancements in technology and education. Its capital, Baghdad, was the most affluent and influential city in the Middle East. There was no religious radicalism at the time, and Iraq's GDP and per capita income exceeded that of any other Middle Eastern country.
The Decline and Ottoman Era
Iraq was a member of the Ottoman Empire from 1534 until 1918. Following World war I, when the british overthrew the Ottomans and took Baghdad, it started to collapse. A period of instability and resistance began in 1921 when the british installed Faisal, son of Sharif Hussein of Mecca, as the first monarch of Iraq. iraq officially became independent in 1932, but World war II caused economic hardships when britain seized the nation once more.
Saddam Hussein's Rise
Following the british withdrawal, political unrest persisted. Internal strife continued even after Brigadier Abdul Karim Qasim toppled the monarchy in 1962. After years of scheming, Saddam Hussein emerged as a pivotal player and was elected president of iraq in 1979. At first, there was some stability in iraq under his leadership.
Conflicts with kuwait and iran
But Saddam's rule quickly descended into chaos. Iraq's economy suffered greatly during the eight-year war it started in 1980 against its neighbor, Iran. iraq invaded kuwait in 1990, only two years after the end of the conflict. Iraq's economy was significantly damaged in 1991 when the united states and its allies launched "Operation Desert Storm" to free Kuwait.
The U.S. invasion and the collapse of iraq
Iraq, which had already been devastated by wars, was confronted with a fresh obstacle in 2003 when the united states attacked the nation because it was creating WMDs. The majority of Iraqi cities were taken by American soldiers in 20 days. An era came to an end in 2006 when Saddam Hussein was put to death. iraq is a shell of its former self today, still reeling from decades of war and devastation.
Turkey is the most powerful Muslim nation.
Turkey is seen as the most powerful Islamic country in 2024, with a weighted average ranking of 5.2 on several international metrics. The rapidly expanding defense industry in the nation is a major highlight. Turkey's defense exports nearly quadrupled between 2014 and 2023, placing it in 11th place worldwide, barely outside the top 10. With a 5.7% year-over-year GDP gain in the first quarter of 2024, turkey has likewise seen impressive economic development.
Two American captives were recently released following negotiations with Qatar. By using its oil and gas resources to create one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, qatar has become a major player in the Middle east in recent years. iraq used to be similarly prominent in the area, but these days it is struggling to stay relevant.
The Golden Age of iraq
Up to the fifteenth century, iraq was a center of knowledge and the seat of the Abbasid Caliphate. It thrived in invention, trade, and culture, emerging as a ray of hope for advancements in technology and education. Its capital, Baghdad, was the most affluent and influential city in the Middle East. There was no religious radicalism at the time, and Iraq's GDP and per capita income exceeded that of any other Middle Eastern country.
The Decline and Ottoman Era
Iraq was a member of the Ottoman Empire from 1534 until 1918. Following World war I, when the british overthrew the Ottomans and took Baghdad, it started to collapse. A period of instability and resistance began in 1921 when the british installed Faisal, son of Sharif Hussein of Mecca, as the first monarch of Iraq. iraq officially became independent in 1932, but World war II caused economic hardships when britain seized the nation once more.
Saddam Hussein's Rise
Following the british withdrawal, political unrest persisted. Internal strife continued even after Brigadier Abdul Karim Qasim toppled the monarchy in 1962. After years of scheming, Saddam Hussein emerged as a pivotal player and was elected president of iraq in 1979. At first, there was some stability in iraq under his leadership.
Conflicts with kuwait and iran
But Saddam's rule quickly descended into chaos. Iraq's economy suffered greatly during the eight-year war it started in 1980 against its neighbor, Iran. iraq invaded kuwait in 1990, only two years after the end of the conflict. Iraq's economy was significantly damaged in 1991 when the united states and its allies launched "Operation Desert Storm" to free Kuwait.
The U.S. invasion and the collapse of iraq
Iraq, which had already been devastated by wars, was confronted with a fresh obstacle in 2003 when the united states attacked the nation because it was creating WMDs. The majority of Iraqi cities were taken by American soldiers in 20 days. An era came to an end in 2006 when Saddam Hussein was put to death. iraq is a shell of its former self today, still reeling from decades of war and devastation.
Turkey is the most powerful Muslim nation.
Turkey is seen as the most powerful Islamic country in 2024, with a weighted average ranking of 5.2 on several international metrics. The rapidly expanding defense industry in the nation is a major highlight. Turkey's defense exports nearly quadrupled between 2014 and 2023, placing it in 11th place worldwide, barely outside the top 10. With a 5.7% year-over-year GDP gain in the first quarter of 2024, turkey has likewise seen impressive economic development.