Abu Dhabi dispatch: The Soleimani earthquake and coming aftershocks

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
Abu Dhabi dispatch: The Soleimani earthquake and coming aftershocks

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
Abu Dhabi dispatch: The Soleimani earthquake and coming aftershocks

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.

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Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

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Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Iraq Initiative

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Former Deputy Director, Iraq Initiative

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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Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Defense Policy

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Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Inflection Points

Jan 11, 2020

Abu Dhabi dispatch: The Soleimani earthquake and coming aftershocks

By Frederick Kempe

The conventional wisdom – underpinned by visuals from Iran – is that the US drone strike reinforced hardliners and shifted the internal Iranian dynamics from protests against the regime to angry demonstrations against the United States. Far harder to measure is the longer-term impact of Soleimani’s absence on the country’s revolutionary effectiveness and structure.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jan 9, 2020

Democratic lawmakers criticize Trump administration policy after Soleimani targeting

By David A. Wemer

“This entire escalatory lead up,” Murphy contended, “was all an exercise of choice.” While both Democratic lawmakers conceded that Soleimani—who led the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force—was an enemy of the United States and responsible for the deaths of US soldiers, they called into question the administration’s decision to target Soleimani on Iraqi soil and at a moment of such high tensions in the region.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 9, 2020

Bryza joins CNN to discuss Iran’s strikes against US military bases in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Jan 8, 2020

Both the United States and Iran proved their points. Now they need to de-escalate tensions

By Robert Czulda

After Trump’s press conference, there are some good reasons to be optimistic and believe that both sides will remain restrained. However, on the other hand, in the Middle East restraint is very often seen not as a virtue, but as a sign of weakness which has to be exploited by one’s enemies.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Kadhim quoted in PBS on US sanctions against Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Economic Sanctions Iraq

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2020

De-escalation still possible after Iran’s missile retaliation

By Atlantic Council

Iran avoided a central US red line, and "therefore, the Trump administration will have the opportunity to test Iranian claims that they truly do not seek any further escalation," Will Wechsler says.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2020

Iran’s missiles may have avoided the worst outcome

By Thomas S. Warrick

If there had been significant US casualties, the world would have awoken to the dawn of a regional war, because the Trump administration would have been compelled to attack the launch sites in Iran—and probably other targets in Iran, also. If the present news holds, the situation is slightly less dangerous, if still perilous.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2020

Washington and Tehran can step back – if they want to

By William F. Wechsler

After the January 8 Iranian missile attacks on Iraq, a successful tactical de-escalation requires both that the Iranian leadership intends for its military actions not to be escalatory and that the Trump administration perceives those actions as they were intended. In the absence of direct communications between the United States and Iran, however, the potential for misunderstanding and thus the risk of miscalculation remains high.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Jan 7, 2020

Wechsler quoted in Bloomberg on Iran’s retaliation against US in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iran Iraq

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2020

Will Iraq become Syria 2.0?

By Daniel V. Speckhard

In a very short time, the United States is moving from a position of significant influence to one of weakness by its own bumbling. It has lost the support of its internal and external supporters with respect to Iraq and has opened the door for others to step into the vacuum to play the role of savior and mediator.

Conflict Iraq
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Experts

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Evanna Hu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Extremism Defense Technologies

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Arun Iyer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Disinformation Economy & Business

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Scott Jerabek

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Technologies Iraq

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Fellow

John Manza

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Millennium fellow

Hanar Marouf

Political Officer, British Consulate General Erbil

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Iraq
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