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The risks and rewards of Erdogan’s next military operation

MENASource Aug 30, 2022

Experts react: Muqtada al-Sadr withdraws from politics. What’s next for Iraq amid a deep political rupture?

By Abbas Kadhim, C. Anthony Pfaff, Barbara Slavin, Andrew L. Peek, Masoud Mostajabi

Atlantic Council experts react to the news of Muqtada aSadr’s resignation and offer their thoughts on how the international community will deal with the conflict moving forward.
Iraq Middle East
The risks and rewards of Erdogan’s next military operation

MENASource Jun 23, 2022

Iraq’s sandstorms are threatening life in the Fertile Crescent. It’s time the Iraqi government takes a stance.

By Muhammad Baqir Muhyedeen

The Iraqi government and population can take the necessary steps to protect their country from the changing climate and safeguard Iraq for future generations.
Energy & Environment Iraq
The risks and rewards of Erdogan’s next military operation

MENASource Jun 22, 2022

The immutable Muqtada al-Sadr loses a battle against Iran

By Andrew L. Peek

The June 12 decision by Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to renounce his electoral victory and collapse the government formation process is a gift to Iran.
Iran Iraq

Programs

The Iraq Initiative provides transatlantic and regional policy makers with unique perspectives and analysis on the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing Iraq as the country tries to build an inclusive political system, attract economic investment, and encourage a vibrant civil society.

EXPLORE THE Iraq INitiative

Top experts

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Fellow

C. Anthony Pfaff

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Intelligence

Fellow

David Mack

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Kirsten Fontenrose

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Forward Defense Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Terrorism

Fellow

Andrew L. Peek

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Defense Policy

Fellow

Oula Kadhum

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Iraq

Fellow

Ahmed Tabaqchali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Content

TURKEYSource

Dec 1, 2022

The risks and rewards of Erdogan’s next military operation

By Rich Outzen

The November 13 bombing in Istanbul, blamed on the PKK, is spurring a planned Turkish offensive against PKK affiliates in Northern Syria, fulfilling a long term goal to better secure the country's southern border.

Conflict Iraq

Report

Nov 16, 2022

KRI positioned in prominent role in global gas markets

By Ahmed Tabaqchali

A new report, The Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Gas-Export Potential: Deja Vu All Over Again, authored by Atlantic Council senior fellow Ahmed Tabaqchali, considers the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s (KRI) proven and probable gas reserves having the potential to nearly triple production by 2030 and more than sextuple by 2040.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

MENASource

Nov 7, 2022

Iraq lacks strategy on many governance fronts. It’s never too late to rectify this unforgivable deficiency.

By Abbas Kadhim

Post-2003 Iraq has shown a gross lack of strategy on many governance fronts. It’s never too late to rectify this unforgivable deficiency.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Nov 4, 2022

Iraq has a new government. The United States would benefit from broad engagement with all Iraqi stakeholders.

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Such an approach will typically yield modest results, but these results can accumulate and place the United States in a better position.

Iraq Middle East

Event Recap

Nov 3, 2022

Turmoil and transition: Iraq twenty years after the invasion

By Madeline Hart and Nour Alhajjeh

An Atlantic Council conference on Iraq's security, environment, economy, and democratic institutions brought together high-level officials from across the region and the United States to explore innovative solutions.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

Report

Nov 3, 2022

Optimizing and aligning the US-Iraq relationship

By C. Anthony Pfaff

This report considers US-Iraq relations’ need for an approach that relies less on directly confronting corrupt and malign actors and more on creating better alternatives so that individuals and groups do not choose to engage in corrupt and malign activities in the first place.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Report

Sep 26, 2022

Amman-Baghdad-Cairo (ABC) Agreement: A new path for economic integration

By Racha Helwa, Barik Schuber, and Ibrahim Saif

Since 2019, Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan have held multiple summit meetings to discuss trilateral agreements to formalize and deepen economic integration. By cooperating among themselves, the three countries can represent a united political and economic front. This report explores the potential benefits and pitfalls to avoid from the perspective of each country: Egypt, Jordan, Iraq.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

MENASource

Aug 30, 2022

Experts react: Muqtada al-Sadr withdraws from politics. What’s next for Iraq amid a deep political rupture?

By Abbas Kadhim, C. Anthony Pfaff, Barbara Slavin, Andrew L. Peek, Masoud Mostajabi

Atlantic Council experts react to the news of Muqtada aSadr’s resignation and offer their thoughts on how the international community will deal with the conflict moving forward.

Iraq Middle East

In the News

Aug 30, 2022

Kadhim quoted in Foreign Policy on Iraq’s political crisis

By Atlantic Council

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 29, 2022

Kadhim quoted in Newsweek on the protests in Baghdad

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Iraq
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Experts

Staff

Sarah Zaaimi

Deputy Director for Communications

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Staff

Hezha Barzani

Program Assistant

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Education Human Rights

Staff

Nibras Basitkey

Program Assistant

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Ben Connable

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Defense Policy

Fellow

Scott Cooper

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Civil Society
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