Iraq’s expanding role in the region was on full display at the Jeddah Security and Development Summit, which was attended by leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and the United States. Evolving into an ever-reliable regional mediator, particularly through its efforts in healing the rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraq has also strengthened regional cooperation in sustainable development, concluding agreements to implement electrical interconnection with GCC States. President Biden, whose administration supported Iraqi participation at the summit, commended the significant diplomatic efforts led by Iraq to foster a more stable, prosperous, and interconnected region.

Meanwhile in Baghdad, thousands of supporters of influential Iraqi leader Muqtada al-Sadr have camped inside and around Iraqi’s parliament for days, calling for reform and renewed elections. The delays in Iraq’s government formation and the ensuing power struggles threaten to weaken the country’s emerging role as a critical regional player and interlocuter.

The Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative invites you to a discussion of these issues via Zoom on Thursday, August 18, 2022, from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET. A link to the meeting will be sent to those who register to attend. The event is open to press and on-the-record.

Introduction

Omar Al-Nidawi
Director of Programs
Enabling Peace in Iraq Center

Katherine Harvey
Adjunct Professor, Security Studies Program
Georgetown University

Shamiran Mako
Assistant Professor of International Relations, Pardee School of Global Studies
Boston University

David Des Roches
Professor, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies
National Defense University

Moderated by

Abbas Kadhim
Director, Iraq Initiative
Atlantic Council