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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Content

Defense Industrialist

Nov 10, 2016

Big guns but no bullets?

By James Hasik

The US Navy has at least three options for fire support ashore, and should move out smartly with more than one. As James Holmes of the Naval War College wrote on The National Interest last month, “the US Navy has an image problem.” Perhaps, as Steven Wills of Ohio University (aka. Lazarus) argued in the comments, it’s merely that ships […]

Afghanistan Defense Industry

MENASource

Nov 10, 2016

What a Donald Trump Presidency Means for the Middle East

By MENASource

On November 8, Donald J. Trump was elected the forty-fifth president of the United States. In transcribed interviews, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East experts weigh in on what a Donald Trump presidency means for the Middle East.

International Organizations Iraq

MENASource

Nov 8, 2016

What the Loss of Mosul Will Mean for ISIS

By Mona Alami

As Iraqi forces continue to push further into the Islamic State’s bastion in Mosul, the looming loss of this key city heralds the end of the Islamic caliphate as a pseudo state. The organization, however, may survive as an insurgency and more importantly through the continuity of its “ideological caliphate.”

Iraq Syria

In the News

Nov 4, 2016

Daniels Joins Rudaw to Discuss Iraq’s Fight to Retake Mosul from the Islamic State

By Owen Daniels

Watch the full discussion here.

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2016

It’s Time to Think About a Post-ISIS Strategy

As the military offensive in Mosul intensifies and plans are drawn up for an assault on Raqqa, the forces opposing the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) must consider the political implications of tactical engagement, specifically, who will assume control once the terrorist group is defeated? “When we talk about ISIS and the day […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Nov 4, 2016

Stein Quoted in The Cipher Brief on Turkish Posturing in Iraq

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

Nov 4, 2016

Daniels Joins Rudaw English to Discuss How ISIS Funds Itself

By Owen Daniels

Watch the full interview here.

Iraq

In the News

Nov 3, 2016

Mardini Quoted by New York Times on the Future of Mosul

By Ramzy Mardini

Read the full article here.

Iraq

Event Recap

Nov 2, 2016

ISIS the Day After Defeat

By Jenna Amlani

On November 2, 2016, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted “ISIS the Day After Defeat,” a panel discussion featuring Resident Fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy Hassan Hassan, Director for Tradecraft and Innovation at the Institute for the Study of War Jessica Lewis McFate, and Senior Economist […]

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Nov 1, 2016

Anbar’s Iraqi Policemen: Between ISIS and a Hard Place

By Kamal al-Ayash, NIQASH

There have been plenty of calls for families who were displaced by the security crisis caused by the Islamic State group to return home, once their territories have been cleared of the extremists. But in the central province of Anbar, it seems that not everybody is welcome.

Iraq

Experts