On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the College of Political Science at the University of Baghdad hosted a discussion of a PhD dissertation entitled “Competition for Digital Sovereignty After 2001: Selected Models,” presented by student Shifa Khalil Ibrahim from the Department of International Studies. The discussion was attended by the academic committee and a number of professors and researchers.
The dissertation, comprised of four chapters, analyzed the transformations in the concept of sovereignty in light of the digital revolution after 2001, which it considered a pivotal stage in the reshaping of the international order. The study demonstrated that digital sovereignty has become a central focus in contemporary strategic analysis, and that competition between states is no longer limited to traditional military or economic tools, but has expanded to include control over digital infrastructure, technology pathways, and data spaces.
The thesis also clarified that the elements of power in the digital age are now based on control of cyberspace, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, as influential tools in political, security, and economic decision-making, in addition to their role in redefining the concepts of deterrence and international balance.
The study addressed models of international competition among major powers, particularly the United States, China, and the Russian Federation, alongside the European Union as an organizational model seeking to exert its influence through digital legislation and data protection. It also emphasized that the Middle East represents a strategically advanced arena for this competition, given its geographical location and its importance in digital infrastructure and international communication corridors.
The examining committee consisted of:
* Professor Dr. Saad Ubed Alwan – Chairman
* Professor Dr. Abdul Fattah Ali Salem Al-Rashdan – Member
* Professor Dr. Munim Khamis Mukhlif – Member
* Assistant Professor Dr. Yusri Mahdi Saleh – Member
* Assistant Professor Dr. Ahmed Hussein Shuhail – Member
* Assistant Professor Dr. Haider Abdul Kadhim – Supervisor
The committee decided to accept the dissertation with distinction
