Relationship dossier
France
Iraq
Relationship assessment
Security and recovery cooperation alongside recurring disagreements over military presence and regional policy
France toward Iraq
+35France has supported Iraqi security and stability through participation in the international coalition against ISIS and has engaged in cooperation on economic recovery and cultural heritage. French military activity in Iraq and disagreements over regional policy have also contributed to friction.
Iraq toward France
+30Iraq has cooperated with France on security and recovery and has engaged in bilateral economic and cultural initiatives. Baghdad has also asserted its position over foreign military activity on Iraqi territory, creating friction with France.
Overall relationship
+35The relationship combines concrete security and recovery cooperation with recurring sensitivities over foreign military activity and regional policy. Cooperation is meaningful but does not amount to an unqualified strategic partnership.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
France and Iraq maintain a substantive relationship shaped by French support for Iraq’s stability and security, including France’s participation in the international coalition against ISIS. The countries have also developed cooperation in areas such as economic recovery and cultural heritage. Their ties have faced strain over France’s military presence in Iraq and wider regional disputes, while the scope and continuity of cooperation remain uncertain.
Areas of tension
- Iraqi concerns over foreign military activity on its territory
- Differences over regional policy and security
Key developments
France joined the international coalition supporting Iraq against ISIS.
France and Iraq pursued bilateral cooperation involving economic recovery and cultural heritage.
Major uncertainties
- The current scope and implementation of French-Iraqi security and economic cooperation are unclear.
- The extent of continuing bilateral disagreements over military presence and regional policy is uncertain.