OIL-RICH BASRA IS A SYMBOL OF WHAT'S WRONG WITH TODAY'S IRAQ

If Basra -- with its sandstorms and dry desert winds -- is one of the hottest places on earth, it’s also the richest Iraqi city and could easily afford proper drinking water, a permanent supply of electricity, paved streets, and a functioning garbage collection system. But not much works smoothly, and in the last decade all that’s been built are two bridges, a new hospital and another university campus. A sports complex called “Sports City” has been under construction for years and so far all deadlines that have been set for its completion have been missed.The former Sheraton Hotel, which was damaged by bombs, plundered and then burnt, has now been entirely rebuilt, is the only 5-star hotel in Iraq that even begins to live up to that category. On the bank of the Shatt al-Arab River, the angular concrete building of what is now called the Basra International Hotel is surrounded by heaps of garbage, open sewers – and streets with potholes, some knee deep. MORE HERE