The assassination of Qasem Soleimani: Likely consequences

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
The assassination of Qasem Soleimani: Likely consequences

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
The assassination of Qasem Soleimani: Likely consequences

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

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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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Iran protests Soleimani killing

MENASource

Jan 3, 2020

The assassination of Qasem Soleimani: Likely consequences

By Nabeel Khoury

There is no doubt that Qasem Soleimani was a ruthless leader, however, his death does not eliminate the threat of terrorism and could lead to a spiral of actions and reactions.

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Jan 3, 2020

Iran’s “living martyr” was ready to die, but blindsided oil markets must face new uncertainty

By Sara Vakhshouri

The immediate market reaction indicates that the common sense about this incident is that the US operation did not make the world and the Middle East region—which is responsible for significant volumes of global oil and gas production—a safer place but rather increased the instability and insecurity in the region.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2020

Iraq’s parliament may be about to do President Trump a big fat favor

By Kirsten Fontenrose

The biggest favor the Iraqi Parliament can do for US President Donald J. Trump right now is to vote to evict the United States from Iraq. The US president has been clear on his preference for drawing down the US presence in the region rather than beefing it up. Right now, he is asking his advisers why the United States should stay in Iraq, where the two stated missions are to train the Iraqi Security Forces and conduct counterterrorism operations.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2020

Soleimani killing threatens to break open US-Iranian conflict

By David A. Wemer

The assassination of a top Iranian military official in Iraq on January 2 is the most dramatic step yet in the ongoing escalation between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jan 2, 2020

Iraq: It’s not over yet

By Thomas S. Warrick

No one should think this crisis is over. Iran’s stepped-up campaign to drive the United States out of Iraq will continue in other ways.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jan 1, 2020

New low in US-Iraq relations: What’s next for 2020

By Abbas Kadhim

The attention on Iraq will shift away from the protesters and the reforms they are calling for to the “more newsworthy” events in the Green Zone and the aftermath of the attack on the US Embassy.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Dec 31, 2019

US strikes in Iraq and Syria: Managing the escalation

By C. Anthony Pfaff

It is a very bad idea to turn Iraq into a battlefield (again). However, it is a worse idea to let Tehran use certain militias to continue to derail Iraq’s recovery, reconciliation, and reconstruction. It is certainly the case that the United States will have to accept a role for Iran in Iraq; however, the Iranians will likewise have to accept a role for the United States. If they do not, then the fault for turning Iraq into a battlefield lies with them.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 30, 2019

Bryza joins TRTWorld to discuss targeting of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Syria
Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 29, 2019

Experts react: United States retaliates against Iran-backed forces in Iraq and Syria

By Atlantic Council

The United States launched a series of airstrikes against the Iranian-backed group Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria on December 29, 2019.

Conflict Iraq

MENASource

Dec 20, 2019

Staff cuts at US embassy Baghdad will not counter Iran

By Thomas S. Warrick

The planned US staffing cuts at the embassy in Baghdad is likely to undermine US efforts to counter Iran and will leave a gap Iran is happy to continue to fill through economic, security, and political means.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy
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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

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Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

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John Manza

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Defense Policy

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Hanar Marouf

Political Officer, British Consulate General Erbil

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Iraq
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