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No Quick Fixes for Iraq's Economic Woes

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN - Iraqis took to the streets Wednesday in another day of protests
   over high unemployment, a lack of public services and alleged
   corruption. Some observers believe the ongoing demonstrations, which
   have left at least 250 people dead in recent weeks, could pave the way
   for real and badly-needed economic reforms in the oil-rich nation of
   nearly 40 million people.

   Despite their country's vast oil wealth, many Iraqis live in poverty or
   with limited access to basic services, as the nation struggles to
   recover from years of sectarian and Islamic State conflict. Some 7
   million Iraqis reportedly live below the poverty line and the World
   Bank puts youth unemployment at 25 percent.

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