Regional Studies Center

Regional Studies Center at the University of Mosul organized an academic lecture titled “Economy and Radicalism: Necessarily an Inverse Relationship?” delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Faris Turki Mahmood on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, with the attendance of several researchers and postgraduate students.

The lecture aimed to analyze the complex relationship between economic performance and the phenomena of radicalism and extremism, questioning whether the correlation is always inverse, as suggested by many theoretical studies.

The lecture covered several key themes, most notably the role of poverty and unemployment in fostering environments conducive to radicalization, compared to regions that have experienced economic growth and a decline in extremist tendencies. It also examined international and regional case studies that indicate economic improvement does not necessarily lead to a decline in radicalism unless accompanied by social and educational reforms and equitable wealth distribution. Furthermore, the lecture highlighted how certain extremist groups have managed to infiltrate relatively stable economic areas by exploiting cultural and religious identities.

The session concluded with an open discussion, enriched by questions and contributions from the audience, emphasizing the need for comprehensive policies that integrate economic development with intellectual and social strategies to counter radicalism-ultimately contributing to building more stable and secure societies.