Content

MENASource

May 24, 2023

The US needs to be proactive in order to break its escalatory cycle with Iran

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Here we go again. On March 23, Iran-backed Iraqi militias launched a drone attack that killed an American contractor and wounded another, as well as twenty-four US military personnel. The attack feels very much like a repeat of the one in December 2019, which also killed a US contractor and led to an escalatory cycle, […]

Conflict Iran

Event Recap

May 9, 2023

Reimagining a way forward: Iraq’s economy and energy sector in the post-invasion era

By Amna Haider and Mahnaz Vahdati

On April 24, 2023, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative convened a hybrid panel discussion to examine Iraq’s current economic and energy landscape, and their future trajectory. The panel discussed Iraq’s significant progress in rebuilding its economy and energy sectors that have suffered since the 2003 US invasion of the country, despite facing various challenges such […]

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance

MENASource

May 1, 2023

Should history rethink Paul Bremer’s role in the Iraq war?

By Andrew L. Peek

In the pantheon of Iraq war “villains,” perhaps no single official has been blamed for more disaster than Paul Bremer, the Coalition Provisional Authority leader who ruled Iraq for roughly one year.

Iraq Middle East

Event Recap

May 1, 2023

20-Year retrospective: Reflecting on the ‘Mission Accomplished’ speech and its aftermath

By Amna Haider

On the first of May, 2003, six weeks after the US invasion of Iraq, former US President George W. Bush delivered the widely known “Mission Accomplished” speech while aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. On the twentieth anniversary of this speech, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative hosted a virtual discussion with distinguished guest speaker General David […]

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Apr 14, 2023

The rise of a Shia Vatican in Iraq

By Mehiyar Kathem

The anchoring of Shia religious institutions as a national actor in the cultural heritage field may altogether change Iraq’s cultural landscape.

Iraq Middle East

Event Recap

Mar 24, 2023

Trajectories of Iraqi youth two decades after the 2003 invasion: Between aspirations and reality

By Britt Gronemeyer

On March 20, 2023, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative hosted a discussion with a number of young Iraqi civil society activists and prospective leaders to reflect on the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Economy & Business Education

MENASource

Mar 24, 2023

Black Iraqis have been invisible for a long time. Their vibrant culture and struggle must be recognized.

By Sarah Zaaimi

Black Iraqis are not only living on the geographical margins of urban agglomerations but also on the margins of society and its structures.

Iraq Middle East

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2023

Policy lessons from the Iraq War for those who wish to forget

By Ben Connable

A retired US Marine Corps officer who served in Iraq reflects on what went wrong, what went right, and what today's leaders can learn.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Feb 21, 2023

Iraq needs to address the economy’s structural imbalances to halt the dinar’s volatility

By Ahmed Tabaqchali

The Iraqi government and the Central Bank of Iraq introduced a series of measures to create domestic demand for the Iraqi dinar and to accelerate the adoption of banking in the economy.

Economy & Business Iraq

In the News

Dec 8, 2022

Kadhim joins Iraqi News Channel to discuss Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Ben Connable

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Defense Policy

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Fellow

David Mack

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Masoud Mostajabi

Deputy Director, Middle East Programs

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment English

Fellow

C. Anthony Pfaff

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Sarkawt Shamsulddin

Nonresident Fellow

Iraq Initiative

Arabic Civil Society
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