Ending the “Endless War” trope

MENASource Oct 31, 2025

Inside the divides of Iraq’s Coordination Framework—and why they matter ahead of landmark elections 

By Rend Al-Rahim

The November election will not necessarily determine who the next prime minister will be, but it will provide an opportunity to shift power dynamics within the fractious Shia bloc.
Elections Iraq
Ending the “Endless War” trope

MENASource Oct 28, 2025

US energy firms are returning to Iraq—but politics could undo their fortunes

By Raad Alkadiri

Al-Sudani’s rush to sign deals with US firms over the past few months is fundamentally about political survival, both his own and Iraq’s.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
Ending the “Endless War” trope

MENASource Oct 23, 2025

Why Washington’s anti-PMF moves are testing the Iraq partnership

By Mohammed A. Salih

The US campaign against the PMF groups will likely have significant implications for Iraq’s political process moving forward.
Iraq Middle East

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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.

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Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Associate Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

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Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Akeel Abbas

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Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

Ending the “Endless War” trope

By Paul D. Miller

The trope about ending endless wars is really a way of arguing that the US foreign policy establishment has failed, that the supposed doctrine of interventionism is ineffective and counterproductive, and that the United States should retrench, withdraw, and do less in the world. It is the latest talking point in a long-running debate between advocates of restraint and advocates of engagement. The debate is not whether we want wars to end or not, but about what strategy is best suited to end them on the best terms.

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Mar 21, 2020

Kadhim quoted in Saudi Gazette on Iraq’s measures to restrict public gatherings amid coronavirus outbreak

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Iraq

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

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2020

Strike on Iraqi base kills US and Coalition soldiers: How will the US respond?

By Atlantic Council

“The attack on Camp Taji is another sign that Iraq is returning slowly to the pre-2011 insurgency,” Abbas Kadhim says. “The Iraqi government is unfortunately incapable of controlling the various armed groups that have the ability to strike anywhere they want inside the country.”

Conflict Iraq

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2020

Allawi withdraws PM nomination: Opportunities in Iraq despite the dysfunction

By C. Anthony Pfaff

As dysfunctional as Iraq’s democracy can be, it is still a democracy and even the Iranian-backed political parties have to pay attention to the will of their various constituencies. This point means that an energized protest movement can help bring about conditions more favorable to Iraq’s recovery.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

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

MENASource

Feb 27, 2020

How Israel is used to delegitimize Iraq’s anti-government protests

By Seth Frantzman

Adversaries have accused Iraqi protesters of sedition and even tried to link them to the United States and Israel.

Iraq Middle East
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Experts

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Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

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
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