Iraq

The United States and Iraq are strategically tied through mutual interests related to the stability and security of the region. Iraq plays an important role in securing energy resources, combating extremist groups such as ISIS, and managing regional tensions. In the aftermath of the US invasion in 2003, Iraq continues to face significant challenges in attracting investment, improving governance and service delivery, balancing relations with its neighbors, and raising the quality of life of everyday Iraqis. A strong US-Iraqi relationship depends on continued cooperation on security, economic and regional affairs.

Can Iraq’s new prime minister nominee navigate Baghdad’s political chaos?

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.
Elections Iraq
Can Iraq’s new prime minister nominee navigate Baghdad’s political chaos?

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
Can Iraq’s new prime minister nominee navigate Baghdad’s political chaos?

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

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

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Staff

Nibras Basitkey

Associate Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Fellow

Alina L. Romanowski

Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

C. Anthony Pfaff

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Ahmed Tabaqchali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

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

Fellow

Jennifer Gavito

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Omar Al-Nidawi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Content

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2020

Can Iraq’s new prime minister nominee navigate Baghdad’s political chaos?

By Atlantic Council

The next task for Allawi is to win the consent from two mutually exclusive spheres of influence inside Iraq: the protesters who forced the resignation of the current government at a high cost with nearly a thousand lives lost and more than twenty thousand wounded and the entrenched political actors who are still unwilling to give up all or part of their extraordinary privileges and take steps to curb corruption.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

Press Release

Jan 22, 2020

Ambassador David Mack joins Atlantic Council as nonresident senior fellow

By Atlantic Council

Washington, DC – January 22, 2020 – The Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs today announced the addition of David Mack as a nonresident senior fellow. During his fellowship, Mack will focus on US-Iraq relations.   “Ambassador Mack is an authority on US foreign policy in the Middle East. His extensive experience in diplomacy and first-hand […]

Iraq

MENASource

Jan 21, 2020

Repairing Iraq’s relations with the United States

By David Mack

Partners for mutual or overlapping national security objectives, like the governments in Baghdad and Washington, need a sustained dialogue.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Jan 16, 2020

Consequences of Iraq’s vote to end Coalition troop presence

By Rend Al-Rahim

The parliament’s vote on January 5 was driven by emotional rhetoric of sovereignty and patriotism that left no space for dissent and implicitly accused anyone going against the current of betraying Iraq’s sovereignty. The vote displayed majoritarian rule at its worst with the underlying premise that the Shia religious groups can and will determine the interests of Iraq and determine its future, to the exclusion of other communities. The views of Kurds and Sunnis, and indeed of more secular Shia groups, were ignored, with the implication that their patriotism is suspect.

Conflict Iraq

In the News

Jan 13, 2020

Kempe joins CNBC to discuss Iranian influence over Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iran Iraq

In the News

Jan 12, 2020

Warrick quoted in USA Today on Iran’s missile attack on US air bases

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

Energy markets underestimate Middle East supply vulnerability

By Adal Mirza

Buoyed by ample supply, global energy markets continue to underestimate risks to output from the Middle East, despite the recent escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

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
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Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Omar Al-Nidawi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

John B. Barranco

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Americas Iraq
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Events

Public Event Mon, April 20, 2026 • 2:30 pm ET

The future of Iraq-Syria relations
Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy Syria
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy