Kadhimi’s moment: Controlling Iraq’s militias

Dispatches Dec 10, 2025

Dispatch from Iraq: The biggest challenge awaiting the country’s next prime minister

By Victoria J. Taylor 

A recent visit to Iraq following parliamentary elections reveals a growing divide between the political elite and the people.
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Kadhimi’s moment: Controlling Iraq’s militias

New Atlanticist Nov 14, 2025

Experts react: How will Iraq’s parliamentary election shape the country’s politics?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts examine what the results of Tuesday’s elections mean for the future of Iraqi politics and Baghdad’s regional role.
Civil Society Democratic Transitions
Kadhimi’s moment: Controlling Iraq’s militias

Dispatches Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.
Democratic Transitions Elections

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MENASource

Jul 17, 2020

Kadhimi’s moment: Controlling Iraq’s militias

By C. Anthony Pfaff

The July 6, 2020 assassination of Hisham al Hashimi, a well-known political analyst who criticized Iraq’s sectarian politics, represented the loss of someone who made meaningful contributions to Iraq’s recovery and reconciliation efforts towards recovery and reconciliation. Hashimi’s death also represented an escalation that threatens to bring back the gang-like violence Iraq experienced from 2004 to 2008.

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New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2020

US-Iraq strategic talks not just about security issues, says Iraqi former foreign minister

By Larry Luxner

Mohamed Ali Alhakim said the upcoming process is a necessary, long-planned step in ongoing bilateral ties between Baghdad and Washington. But he took pains to call the process a dialogue involving the US government and the sovereign state of Iraq, one which will define the Pentagon’s future presence in Iraq as well as non-military aspects of the relationship including education, energy, culture, trade, and foreign investment.

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New Atlanticist

May 15, 2020

Iran to remain key energy source for Iraq, says former electricity minister Luay Al-Khatteeb

By Larry Luxner

“The only available option we have at the moment right now is Iran—and let’s be frank. I couldn’t care less as a client from the receiving end about whether this molecule of gas comes from Iran or Saudi Arabia. What really matters to me is that this gas is competitive pricewise, can be delivered as soon as possible, and meets my volume demands," said Luay Al-Khatteeb

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MENASource

May 13, 2020

Iraq’s new prime minister must manage expectations

By Rend Al-Rahim

There is one that Mustafa al-Kadhimi must be the most cautious in tackling—the management of expectations.

Iraq
Middle East

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2020

After months of gridlock, Iraq gets a new government

By Atlantic Council

Iraq’s months-long quest to form a national government reached a major milestone on May 6 when a partial government under new prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was approved by lawmakers. Al-Kadhimi—who previously served as Iraq’s national intelligence chief—was nominated by Iraqi President Barham Salih on April 9 after two previous nominees failed to form a government. Although fifteen of the major cabinet posts were approved by the parliament, several others have not yet been confirmed—including foreign affairs, justice, oil, agriculture, and trade—due to failure to reach an agreement between major parties on their allocation.

Democratic Transitions
Iraq

MENASource

May 7, 2020

New Iraqi government must face a pandemic and oil price drop

By Abbas Kadhim

The formation of a fully authorized government provides a chance for Iraq to address its most pressing twin crises.

Coronavirus
Iraq

MENASource

May 1, 2020

Have COVID-19 and Iran tensions doomed Coalition anti-ISIS strategy?

By Seth Frantzman

After five years of a successful campaign against ISIS, the Coalition may be permanently crippled by tensions with Iran. Furthermore, the pandemic may serve as a convenient excuse for partners to wrap up their presence in Iraq.

Iraq
Middle East

Issue briefs and reports

Apr 27, 2020

The future of US-Iraq relations

By C. Anthony Pfaff

This Atlantic Council Iraq Initiative report by Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff analyzes the current challenges in the US-Iraq relationship and presents policy recommendations.

Iraq
Middle East

MENASource

Apr 23, 2020

How the US military should leave Iraq

By Barbara Slavin

It is still possible to retain US influence in Iraq and to offer Iraqis an alternative to complete domination by Iran.

Iraq
Middle East

MENASource

Apr 22, 2020

Challenges for Iraq’s new government under Mustafa Al-Kadhimi

By Abbas Kadhim

The protests that started in October 2019 ushered in a new political era in Iraq. For the first time in the post-2003 process of democratic transition, a government was forced to resign due to popular pressure. The resignation of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s cabinet forced the Iraqi political leadership to face contentious constitutional and procedural […]

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Arwa Damon

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Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

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