Energy security is a fundamental pillar in the economic and social development of countries, and it is of particular importance in Iraq due to its economy's heavy reliance on the oil and gas sector. This study aims to analyze the reality of energy security in Iraq during the period 2014-2023, reviewing the policies adopted and the existing challenges. The paper addresses the concept of energy security and its dimensions in the Iraqi context, and analyzes the reality of the oil, gas, electricity, and renewable energy sectors. The study also reviews government policies and legal and regulatory reforms aimed at enhancing energy security, and discusses the political, security, economic, technical, environmental, and social challenges facing this vital sector. The study concluded that Iraq, despite possessing huge oil reserves, still faces significant challenges in achieving comprehensive energy security, most notably the excessive dependence on oil, weak energy infrastructure, and political and security instability. The study also showed that Iraq has taken important steps towards developing national energy strategies and implementing reforms in the sector, but their implementation on the ground still faces significant challenges. The study recommends the necessity of adopting a comprehensive and integrated national strategy for energy security, focusing on diversifying energy sources, modernizing infrastructure, and accelerating the pace of legal and regulatory reforms. It also emphasizes the importance of enhancing regional and international cooperation in the field of energy and paying attention to the environmental and social dimensions of energy security.
Al-Najjar et al. (Sun,) studied this question.