Why was Iraq politically unstable after the monarchy was overthrown in 1958?

Following the 1958 revolution that overthrew the monarchy, Iraq experienced significant political instability driven by internal factionalism and ideological conflicts among the new leadership.

Key factors contributing to this instability included:

• Ideological Divisions: Conflicts emerged between leaders like Abd al-Karim Qasim and Abd al-Salam Arif over Iraq’s identity. While Arif championed pan-Arabism and union with the United Arab Republic, Qasim emphasized Iraq’s own national identity, leading to power struggles that eventually saw Arif removed from office.1
• Military Factionalism: The regime relied heavily on the military, but deep divisions within the army and among various political groups—including the Ba'ath Party and communists—frequently led to coups and regime collapses, such as the 1963 overthrow of Qasim.12
• Foreign Policy Tensions: Iraq’s shifting alliances, including its withdrawal from the Baghdad Pact and controversial claims over Kuwait, isolated the country regionally and internationally, exacerbating domestic unrest.13
• Governance Challenges: Successive regimes struggled to balance socialist economic policies with the reality of Iraq's economic conditions, leading to further internal dissent and frequent changes in leadership.2