The purpose of this article is to examine the current socio-political situation in Iraq and how it has been influenced by foreign economic plans. Its main argument is that the neo-liberal economic model, which has been chosen by the occupying powers is not beneficial for the majority of the Iraqi population. It is instead increasing insecurity and unemployment while simultaneously fueling the insurgency.

Large scale acquisitions of land in developing countries by multinational or foreign governments have attracted widespread attention in the global media and have sparked a dynamic debate. On the one hand is the argument that agriculture in developing countries especially in Africa crucially needs investment and that the sector has been neglected by peasants, politicians and businesses alike. On the other hand there are arguments against the process that see it as neo-colonial policy where food is being transported from poor countries, where a large per cent of the population is malnourished, to rich nations. The purpose of this brief report is to present the main arguments of both sides, and argue that a more sustainable approach is needed.

“War is the father of all and king of all” (Kirk, 1954, p. 245) is what Heraclitus claimed and even if it might be quite exaggerating, it is not far from reality. War has always been central in shaping human affairs and it constitutes one of the most ancient forms of politics, since it has been used since time immemorial by human beings trying to impose their will on other neighbouring entities. War has largely contributed towards changing the form, structure and composition of both the entities launching it and those on which it was being imposed, while it was a result of war that modern states have been born and developed.