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

MENASource Oct 2, 2024

After Operation Inherent Resolve: How to not mess up US-Iraq security relations again

By C. Anthony Pfaff

The importance of broadening US relations with Iraq beyond counter-terror operations cannot be overstated.
Conflict Defense Policy
Iraq has a new government. The United States would benefit from broad engagement with all Iraqi stakeholders.

MENASource Sep 5, 2024

Iraq’s new family law amendment could potentially legalize child marriage—and fracture the country

By Nibras Basitkey

The Iraqi parliament recently proposed an amendment that could potentially legalize child marriage for girls as young as nine, thereby further restricting women’s rights.
Civil Society Conflict
Iraq has a new government. The United States would benefit from broad engagement with all Iraqi stakeholders.

MENASource Jul 11, 2024

Investing in Iraq’s education will contribute to its revival

By Honar Issa

Investing in Iraq’s education system offers a unique opportunity for the United States to not only support a key ally but also address the root causes of instability in the region.
Civil Society Conflict

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

Former staff

Kirsten Fontenrose

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East National Security

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

Former staff

Masoud Mostajabi

Former Deputy Director, Iraq Initiative

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

Former fellow

Andrew L. Peek

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Defense Policy

Fellow

Ahmed Tabaqchali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Content

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

In the News

Aug 26, 2022

Kadhim quoted in Christian Science Monitor about the governmental turmoil in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 11, 2022

Kadhim interviewed on Alhurra about Al-Sadr’s movements in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iraq

In the News

Aug 7, 2022

Ozarab covered the Iraq and Iran Initiatives event on the political, economic, and cultural ties and irritants between Iran and Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iran Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Richard Clarke

Distinguished Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Conflict

Fellow

Scott Cooper

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Civil Society

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Michael Groen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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