There is a single interview by Jeff Kaplan about Iraq and Overwatch.
D.I.C.E Summit 2017 - Min 14: 30 > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGHfF1U8kg4
They simply wanted to create an alternative reality of the future, to break away from the stereotype a little, to find for once a “neutral” consideration in a place that has always been afflicted by wars.
Numbani in a way follows a similar logic, but from a Sci-Fi (Afrofuturism) rather than an alternative point of view. Even Junkertown could have this same logic of “alternative world” from an anarchic and post-apocalyptic point of view (Max Max)
A clarification: Oasis often has quite controversial cultural elements, since despite the architectural style, it follows many of the paradigms of luxury of Dubai (in the United Arab Emirates). A similar paradox occurred for Ilios which, despite the name being a derivative of the ancient city of Troy, is instead largely inspired by the island of Santorini, which is in a completely different geographical position. But it’s also an interesting option: a city that’s not only luxurious, but generally scientifically ambitious, far from social restrictions (a bit like Rapture in Bioshock).
These are honestly the most interesting narratives, in my opinion, because they create a social revolution that is not entirely unusual even today: countries like South Korea or Singapore were completely different just 30 years ago, and if Overwatch is set 60 years in the future… anything is possible, in a fast-paced world.
Here you must forgive me if I correct you but… it is a big mistake to make current politics an exactly reflection of the game. The future of Overwatch remains a sci-fi fantasy written in our 2010s. There has only been one recent case in which we have seen the lore describe a situation that actually happened in reality over the course of these years: the global health emergency. It is in the declassified book, but they used it to set up a narrative based on the union of various countries in scientific research, starting first with health emergencies and then with technological development for the environment.
Unfortunately, this “eco-sustainable sequel” is not happening nicely in reality. Political-religious wars are re-emerging, and political scandals are mixed with economic interests. But it must always be remembered that Overwatch describes in its own motto a “fight for a better future”. It is however something less nihilistic than many other video games that have already imagined a post-nuclear scenario or similar.