All in-depth research & reports

Issue Brief

Mar 22, 2021

Iraqi diaspora mobilization and the future development of Iraq

By Dr. Oula Kadhum

In a new report, Dr. Oula Kadhum explores Iraqi diaspora mobilization before and after the 2003 invasion and fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

Issue briefs and reports

Feb 16, 2021

Iraq: A road map for recovery

By C. Anthony Pfaff

In a new report, Iraq: A roadmap for recovery, Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff outlines some of the most important discussions, findings, and recommendations of the dialogue.

Arabic English

Issue Brief

Jan 14, 2021

Rejoining the Iran nuclear deal: Not so easy

By Brian O’Toole

President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20, 2021, facing a litany of daunting foreign policy issues, from another massive cyber hack by Russian intelligence to alienated allies in Europe and beyond to a regime in Pyongyang that continues to proliferate weapons of mass destruction unchecked. But perhaps the stickiest—and most immediate—crisis the Biden administration […]

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jan 6, 2021

Gone with the Muhasasa: Iraq’s static budget process, and the loss of financial control

By Ahmed Tabaqchali

A new Iraq Initiative report, authored by Ahmed Tabaqchali, chief investment officer at AFC Iraq Fund, outlines the inefficiencies inherent in Iraq’s current budget process and recommendations for a revamped, dynamic, and transparent budget mechanism.

Economy & Business Iraq
U.S. Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, operating a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, conduct aviation operations around the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew Bean)

In-Depth Research & Reports

Dec 22, 2020

United States interests and policy choices in the Middle East: We didn’t start the fire…

By Michael S. Bell

In a new report, Dr. Michael S. Bell, a professor at the National Defense University’s Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, defines those interests, highlights major threats to them, and offers recommendations for US policy makers.

Middle East National Security

In-Depth Research & Reports

Dec 15, 2020

A guide to illicit Iranian weapon transfers: The Bahrain file

By Tim Michetti

A new report by illicit weapon flows expert Tim Michetti offers a comprehensive, field-based case study on illicit Iranian weapon flows. The report is based on a confidential assessment of the materiel procurement networks of militants operating inside Bahrain.

Iran Middle East

In-Depth Research & Reports

Dec 14, 2020

Iraq’s energy security strategy: A path to diversity and energy independence

By Abbas Kadhim and Sara Vakhshouri

A paper co-authored by Dr. Abbas Kadhim, director of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council, and Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, founder and president of SVB Energy International, outlines immediate and medium-term practical measures to tackle Iraq’s most pressing issues, in its quest to attain energy independence.

Energy & Environment Iraq

Report

Dec 11, 2020

The politics of pandemics: Evolving regime-opposition dynamics in the MENA region

By Frederick Kempe, Giampiero Massolo, Karim Mezran, Annalisa Perteghella, Emadeddin Badi, Yahia Mohamed Lamine Mestek, Hafsa Halawa, Abbas Kadhim, Gawdat Bahgat, Nadereh Chamlou

The politics of pandemics: Evolving regime-opposition dynamics in the MENA region.

Coronavirus Iran

Report

Dec 10, 2020

Closing the accountability gap on human rights violators in the Islamic Republic of Iran through global litigation strategies

By Gissou Nia

Gissou Nia presents recommendations for new laws, amendments to existing laws, and the creation of enforcement mechanisms to aid in the effort to combat impunity for the IRI’s human rights violations and atrocity crimes.

Human Rights International Norms

Report

Dec 4, 2020

Fulton in MED 2020: Navigating the Pandemic

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy