Content

In the News

Mar 20, 2020

Kadhim quoted in Al-Monitor on US presence in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iraq
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2020

Amid COVID-19, Iraq remains US-Iran battleground

By Atlantic Council

Americans have been killed once again during attacks on Iraqi bases, and a series of strikes have been made by US forces and Iranian proxies within Iraq, with no immediate sign that the hostilities will abate anytime soon. Iran is trying to force a US withdrawal, and the United States is trying to protect its interests and reinforce its red lines. Caught in the middle once again, Iraq is simultaneously confronting a security crisis, a health emergency, and an economic free fall—all without the benefit of a functioning government in Baghdad.

Conflict
Coronavirus

In the News

Mar 19, 2020

Kadhim joins the Arab Center in Washington DC to discuss Iraq’s current and future politics

By Atlantic Council

Iraq
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2020

Another prime minister nominee in Iraq: Will this one take?

By Abbas Kadhim

Al-Zurfi's success will depend on the Kurds and the Sunnis, whose opposition destroyed the chances of the previous nominee. For the Kurdish and the Sunni blocs, it is not a matter of whether Al-Zurfi is able to meet the governance challenges, but rather a question of if he will undertake enough political bargaining and ethno-sectarian apportionment of political positions that come with perks. Al-Zurfi will have to calculate how much he can give them to keep a semblance of legitimacy for his government.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

In the News

Mar 4, 2020

Kadhim quoted in The Washington Post on Shiite Muslim cleric ­Moqtada al-Sadr’s influence in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iraq
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2020

Iraqi MP: Continued protests provide opportunity for real reform

By Kyle Thetford

The massive protests that have rocked Iraq since October 2019 and have brought down one government have also given the new prime minister designee a unique opportunity to overcome vested interests and deliver meaningful reform, according to Iraqi Council of Representatives Member Sarkawt Shamsulddin.

Democratic Transitions
Iraq

In the News

Feb 18, 2020

Kadhim quoted in the Associated Press on Shiite cleric al-Sistani

By Atlantic Council

Iraq
Middle East

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Kadhim quoted in PBS on US sanctions against Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Economic Sanctions
Iraq

In the News

Jan 6, 2020

Kadhim quoted in Axios, Iraqi parliament forced to choose between the United States and Iran

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society
Conflict

MENASource

Jan 6, 2020

By killing Soleimani, the United States destroyed its relationship with Iraq

By Abbas Kadhim

The Iraqi parliament vote to remove US troops confirms that if Iraqis are cornered and forced to choose between the United States and Iran, they will find it safer to choose Iran.

Iran
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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