Iraq’s government cannot reform itself

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Iraq’s government cannot reform itself

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Iraq’s government cannot reform itself

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

New Atlanticist

Nov 1, 2019

Iraq’s government cannot reform itself

By Samir Sumaidaie

The Iraqi government, as it is constituted now and despite all past and present promises and claims to the contrary, does not have the political will or the capacity to deliver good governance. That is why the first demand of the protesters is for the government to step aside and be replaced—hopefully peacefully by constitutional steps—by an emergency administration.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

In the News

Nov 1, 2019

Simakovsky joins VOA to discuss the ramifications of the ongoing impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Elections

In the News

Nov 1, 2019

Daragahi joins Turkey’s TRT World to discuss how Baghdadi’s death changes the fight against terrorism

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Extremism

In the News

Nov 1, 2019

Hudson quoted in Foreign Policy on US Sudan policy

By Atlantic Council

Africa Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Nov 1, 2019

Hudson joins the CSIS Into Africa podcast to discuss Sudan’s transition

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

IranSource

Nov 1, 2019

Why the Islamic Republic of Iran keeps taking hostages

By John Limbert

After forty years, the evidence should be clear to even the most benighted. The hostage-taking of 1979-1981 was an unmitigated disaster for Iran and its people.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Nov 1, 2019

Tyburski in Foreign Policy: Malawi’s election was not stolen with white-out

By Atlantic Council

Africa Elections

MENASource

Oct 31, 2019

Iraqi protestors unite behind demands, not sectarian identities

By Rana Abdulhadi

Protests in Iraq are not new. At several times during the past few years, the Iraqi people have taken to the streets against corruption, unemployment, and poor public services.

Corruption Iraq

MENASource

Oct 31, 2019

Will protests herald a new era in Iraqi politics?

By Dara Salam

The defining feature of the protests in Baghdad which started on October 1 and spread to other cities in southern Iraq is that they were neither led nor called for by a religious authority (also known as the marja’iya) or another leader. When the first wave of protests began in multiple cities, the protesters’ message […]

Corruption Iraq

MENASource

Oct 31, 2019

With Abdul-Mahdi offering to resign, what’s next for Iraq?

By Middle East programs

Atlantic Council experts react to the announcement of the Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi resigning. Abbas Kadhim is the Director of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council. “In his address to the Iraqi people on October 31, President Barham Salih referred to Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s offer to resign if the two major parliamentary blocs […]

Corruption Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Anna Ascani

Vice President of the Chamber, Italy Chamber of Deputies

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Education

Fellow

Elizabeth Shortino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Tatiana Gfoeller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Arabic Central Asia

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Millennium fellow

Alexandra Hubbard-Gourlay

Senior Director, Laurel Strategies

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Media
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Events

Online Event Tue, September 16, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

What to watch in Moldova’s parliamentary elections
Disinformation Elections Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society
Public Event Tue, September 23, 2025 • 3:30 pm ET

Spain’s foreign minister on Madrid’s approach to European and global security

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno shares Spain's strategy for Europe, NATO's southern flank, and the transatlantic alliance.

Europe & Eurasia NATO Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense