Egyptian Diplomatic Representation in Iraq 1939–1953

Abstract

Egypt–Iraq relations constitute a field in which political and strategic interests intersect, requiring their establishment on solid foundations that keep pace with contemporary developments and the challenges posed by emerging phenomena in the realm of foreign affairs. The study of Egyptian Diplomatic Representation in Iraq (1939–1953) holds particular significance, as it sheds light on this important aspect of contemporary Arab history. It represents one of the earliest scholarly attempts to trace the evolution of Arab identity and its interaction with regional and international transformations,Egypt increasingly prioritized diplomatic engagement with leading Arab states, foremost among them Iraq, which was the first Arab country to attain full independence. Due to its strategic geographic location and political influence, Iraq served as a central arena for the convergence of Arab interests. This reality was reflected in the nature of Egyptian diplomatic representation, whose roles varied between support, reciprocity, and competition,Owing to the capacity of Egyptian diplomats to exert influence in foreign political affairs and act as strategic thinkers, they either facilitated cooperation and built bridges of trust and goodwill, laying the foundations for stability, or, conversely, created division and undermined relations, thereby opening the door to hostility toward their country in Iraq,The research is structured into an abstract and two main sections. The first section examines Egyptian diplomatic representatives and their political activities in Iraq (1939–1953), while the second section addresses their economic, cultural, and social activities in Iraq during the same period, highlighting the comprehensive and multidimensional nature of Egyptian diplomatic representation.