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September\u2019s mass protests in Basra shook Iraq\u2019s government all the way to the top\u2014and perhaps mark a new phase in Iraq\u2019s popular politics. In a brief wave of demonstrations, residents of Basra attacked government buildings, militia headquarters, and the Iranian consulate: symbols of the corruption that has kept their city poor, polluted, and starved of public services, despite the fact that it produces most of Iraq\u2019s oil. \nTamer El-Ghobashy covered the protests in Basra, and here discusses why Iraq\u2019s second city reached a breaking point. He also reflects on the decidedly post-sectarian turn in Iraq\u2019s dysfunctional politics. The mostly poor, mostly Shia residents of southern Iraq provided the rank-and-file fighters for the war against the Islamic State. Now, they want to see some improvement in their quality of life. The protests ended incumbent prime minister Haidar al-Abadi\u2019s quest for another term. What impact will they have long-term on Iraq\u2019s appalling governance?\nParticipants include:\nTamer El-Ghobashy, Baghdad bureau chief, The Washington Post\nThanassis Cambanis, senior fellow, The Century Foundation