INA–Baghdad
National Security Advisor Mr. Qassem Al-Araji stressed on Thursday that regional stability cannot be achieved without respecting the sovereignty of countries and rejecting the use of force, emphasizing that Iraq has deep and direct experience in confronting terrorism.
The Media Office of the National Security Advisor said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “National Security Advisor Qassem Al-Araji said in his speech at the First International Forum for Security—the Fourteenth International Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Security Affairs, held in the Russian capital Moscow: ‘I convey to you the greetings of the government and people of Iraq, and I express our appreciation for this important international platform, which is being held amid a highly sensitive international situation marked by accelerating geopolitical transformations, increasing security challenges, and overlapping political, economic, and humanitarian crises in an unprecedented manner.’”
He added that “the challenges facing the world today impose a shared responsibility on the international community to re-establish the foundations of security and stability in accordance with the principles of justice, respect for sovereignty, and commitment to international law.”
Al-Araji stressed that “Iraq, with its deep and direct experience in confronting terrorism, extremism, and protracted conflicts, as well as the complex transformations it has undergone over the past decades, realizes today more than ever that real security is not achieved by military force alone, nor is it imposed through the logic of hegemony or policies of fait accompli, but is built on strategic balance, responsible deterrence, equal partnerships, and dialogue based on mutual respect and common interests.”
Al-Araji pointed out that “international experiences have proven that wars, regardless of their ability to contain an immediate threat, cannot alone achieve lasting peace or sustainable stability. Real stability begins with addressing the deep political, economic, social, and intellectual roots of crises, because ignoring the true causes of conflicts only leads to the reproduction of crises in more complex and dangerous forms.”
Al-Araji continued: “Iraq condemns the unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic of Iran and strongly condemns the bombing of civilians and schools and the killing of children, considering them immoral acts and a clear violation of international humanitarian law.”
Al-Araji pointed out that “Iraq is not an arena for conflicts or for settling regional and international scores, but rather a sovereign state, a space for dialogue, and an element of balance and stability in its regional environment.”
He noted that “Iraq’s sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity are constants that are not subject to bargaining or fragmentation, and Iraq will not allow its territory or capabilities to be used as a launching point for any action that threatens the security and stability of other countries.”
Al-Araji pointed out that “Iraq believes successful international relations must be based on common interests, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs, away from policies of axes and polarization, which experience has shown to be among the causes of complicating and prolonging crises.” He added that “Iraq places dialogue and diplomacy at the forefront of crisis management and conflict resolution tools, believing that sustainable solutions are not imposed by force, but are built through political understandings and shared visions.”
Al-Araji noted that “security threats in today’s world have fundamentally changed. Challenges are no longer limited to traditional conflicts, but now include cross-border terrorism, organized crime, cyber threats, information warfare, and economic challenges that are sometimes used as tools of strategic pressure. This reality confirms that the security of states is no longer an isolated concept, but rather an interconnected system in which local stability is affected by regional and international balances.”
Al-Araji stressed that “Iraq calls for building a more balanced and effective international approach based on strengthening security and intelligence cooperation, exchanging information, drying up the sources of terrorism and extremism, preventing escalation, and activating the role of international institutions away from selectivity or politicization.”
He pointed out that “Iraq affirms that regional stability cannot be achieved without respecting the sovereignty of states, rejecting the use of force outside the framework of international legitimacy, and working seriously to contain hotspots of tension before they turn into crises that threaten collective security.”
Al-Araji concluded by saying: “Iraq is a sovereign state, a responsible partner, and an active force in supporting regional and international security and stability, believing that true peace is not achieved by force alone, but through political will, strategic vision, and the ability to build trust between countries and peoples.” He explained that “we renew Iraq’s commitment to remain a voice of reason, a bridge for dialogue, and a partner in creating a more secure, balanced, and stable future for all.”
