Iraq’s embassy in Washington has been empty for thirteen long years, but Rend al-Rahim, just named as the new ambassador, is about to move in. Rahim left Iraq almost thirty years ago. For much of the time she has lived the U.S., where she helped found a pro-democracy think tank, and spent time advocating for the removal of Saddam Hussein.
Since the departure of the Iraqi President, Rahim has been back home, several times. And while she praises the US effort to oust Saddam Hussein, she has tough words for America’s post-war planning — she says it was full of security failures and misinformation. When asked what should come next in her homeland Rahim says, “Iraqis want everything summed up in the single word democracy.”
Guests:
Rend al-Rahim, Iraq Ambassador to the United States