Iraq is a Republic.
Iraq ( [ ɪˈræk ] , [ ɪˈrɑːk ] , or [ aɪˈræk ] العراق ; عێراق ) , officially known as the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia , bordered by Turkey to the north , Iran to the east , Kuwait to the southeast , Saudi Arabia to the south , Jordan to the southwest , and Syria to the west . In 1958 , the monarchy was overthrown and the Iraqi Republic created . A republic ( [ res publica , links = yes ] ) is a form of government in which the country is considered a `` public matter '' -- not the private concern or property of the rulers -- and where offices of state are elected or appointed , rather than inherited .