Content

MENASource

Jul 23, 2020

Iranian foreign minister’s visit aggravates Iraqi-Saudi rapprochement

By Abbas Kadhim

All the details were carefully planned for Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s first foreign tour since taking office. Saudi Arabia, strongly supported by the United States, was selected as the first destination for the untested Iraqi leader, who is facing insurmountable challenges on the home front. Kadhimi is eagerly looking for quick accomplishments to build […]

Economy & Business
Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2020

US-Iraq strategic talks not just about security issues, says Iraqi former foreign minister

By Larry Luxner

Mohamed Ali Alhakim said the upcoming process is a necessary, long-planned step in ongoing bilateral ties between Baghdad and Washington. But he took pains to call the process a dialogue involving the US government and the sovereign state of Iraq, one which will define the Pentagon’s future presence in Iraq as well as non-military aspects of the relationship including education, energy, culture, trade, and foreign investment.

Conflict
Coronavirus

MENASource

May 13, 2020

Iraq’s new prime minister must manage expectations

By Rend Al-Rahim

There is one that Mustafa al-Kadhimi must be the most cautious in tackling—the management of expectations.

Iraq
Middle East

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

After months of gridlock, Iraq gets a new government

By Atlantic Council

Iraq’s months-long quest to form a national government reached a major milestone on May 6 when a partial government under new prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was approved by lawmakers. Al-Kadhimi—who previously served as Iraq’s national intelligence chief—was nominated by Iraqi President Barham Salih on April 9 after two previous nominees failed to form a government. Although fifteen of the major cabinet posts were approved by the parliament, several others have not yet been confirmed—including foreign affairs, justice, oil, agriculture, and trade—due to failure to reach an agreement between major parties on their allocation.

Democratic Transitions
Iraq

MENASource

May 7, 2020

New Iraqi government must face a pandemic and oil price drop

By Abbas Kadhim

The formation of a fully authorized government provides a chance for Iraq to address its most pressing twin crises.

Coronavirus
Iraq

Issue briefs and reports

Apr 27, 2020

The future of US-Iraq relations

By C. Anthony Pfaff

This Atlantic Council Iraq Initiative report by Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff analyzes the current challenges in the US-Iraq relationship and presents policy recommendations.

Iraq
Middle East

MENASource

Apr 22, 2020

Challenges for Iraq’s new government under Mustafa Al-Kadhimi

By Abbas Kadhim

The protests that started in October 2019 ushered in a new political era in Iraq. For the first time in the post-2003 process of democratic transition, a government was forced to resign due to popular pressure. The resignation of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s cabinet forced the Iraqi political leadership to face contentious constitutional and procedural […]

Iraq
Middle East

In the News

Apr 21, 2020

Kadhim quoted in the New York Times on anti-Iranian sentiment in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus
Iraq

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

Third time’s the charm for a new Iraqi PM?

By Atlantic Council

“Iraq needs a prime minister with a mandate from the parliament and the people," Thomas Warrick says, "and al-Kadhimi represents the best chance in a long time for an Iraqi leader who understand the needs of the people for honest, competent, and responsive government."

Democratic Transitions
Iraq

In the News

Mar 21, 2020

Kadhim quoted in Saudi Gazette on Iraq’s measures to restrict public gatherings amid coronavirus outbreak

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus
Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Alina L. Romanowski

Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Yerevan Saeed

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English
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