Some people have suggested that it was in fact an Iraqi that set them on the right path, after seeing it go wrong in his own country:

https://psmag.com/.amp/environment/iraqi-vikings-farouk-al-k...

> Norway’s anti–resource curse is often attributed to exceptionalism: Viking genes or the like. But one secret of its success—maybe the secret—is not Norwegian at all, but a twinkly 77-year-old Iraqi-born oil geologist named Farouk al Kasim.

Did the “Norwegian” model work in Iraq first then? If not, why not?

It’s not race but it may be culture. Not what color Norwegians are, but what they do. Things like corruption, education, religion, ethics, customs and life/work habits all influence productivity. Also here in Europe at least there seems to be a correlation between latitude and country performance which could imply some climate influence as well.