The Complex Geopolitics of Iraq's $17B Suez Canal Rival

Iraq is constructing an ambitious 740-mile shipping shortcut between Asia and Europe called the Development Road. If successful, it could serve as an alternative to the chokepoint at the Suez Canal in Egypt. Turkey, Qatar and the UAE have all expressed support for the megaproject, but geopolitical tensions in the region are complicated, with some of its neighbors like Saudi Arabia, Russia and China being part of their own competing trade routes. Baghdad also has to navigate political instability within its own borders amongst rivalling factions.

WSJ explores Iraq’s $17 billion plan to construct a new path forward.