Feyzullah Tüna Akgün, Coordinator of Iraq Studies at the ORSAM Center for Middle East Studies:

If the Gulf states cannot sell their oil through the Strait of Hormuz, the Development Road will become a major alternative.

Iraq imports 80% of its daily food through the ports of Basra— the Development Road provides an alternative supply route.

This is also Iraq’s route to the future after oil. More than 50% of Iraqis are employed in state jobs that are affected by oil.

The Development Road creates new cities, industrial zones, and economic alternatives.

The broader outlook is regional ownership. Solving regional problems without external or proxy actors.

If Turkey and Iraq succeed, why shouldn’t Syria and the Gulf countries join?