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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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In the News

Jul 4, 2016

ABC Australia Interviews Hassan on Karada Attack

By Kawa Hassan

Iraq Task Force Member Kawa Hassan delves deep into the reasons for such a bloody and barbaric attack against civilians in Baghdad just days before the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.  Watch the full video here.

Iraq

MENASource

Jun 24, 2016

Despite Fallujah Victory, Baghdad Remains in Political Quagmire

By Nussaibah Younis

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appears to have launched the sudden assault on the city of Fallujah last month in an effort to distract from the political turmoil in Baghdad. And to some extent, it has worked. Popular support for the fight has won the prime minister a short political reprieve, and the media landscape has […]

Iraq

In the News

Jun 24, 2016

Crocker writes for The Cipher Brief on the campaign to liberate Fallujah

By Ryan Crocker

Iraq Task Force Chair Ryan Crocker writes for The Cipher Brief on sectarian tensions in Iraq and the role of the Shia militia in the campaign to liberate Fallujah from ISIS. Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

Jun 3, 2016

Al-Khoei in CNN: Battle for Falluja: Not Shias versus Sunnis but Iraqis versus ISIS

By Atlantic Council

Iraq Task Force member Hayder al-Khoei writes for CNN on the inaccurate sectarian framing of the Fallujah campaign. Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

Jun 1, 2016

Ashooh Joins C-Span with Iraqi Ambassador Faily to Discuss US-Iraq Relations

By Jessica Ashooh

Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

May 27, 2016

Knights Writes for Foreign Policy on the Need to Secure Baghdad from ISIS

By Michael Knights

Iraq Task Force member Michael Knights writes for Foreing Policy on the need to secure Baghdad from ISIS to prevent rise of Shia militia control.  Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

May 25, 2016

Knights Writes for Al Jazeera on Operations to Retake Fallujah

By Michael Knights

Iraq Task Force Member Michael Knights writes for Al Jazeera on the Iraqi government’s operations to retake ISIS from Fallujah. Read the full article here.

Iraq

MENASource

May 25, 2016

The Non-Option of Disengagement from the Middle East

By Frederic C. Hof

In 2003 American forces successfully took Baghdad, but without the benefit of a ‘day after’ civil-military stabilization plan. The unintended results: a chaotic occupation, a vicious insurgency, the premature withdrawal of the United States from Iraq in 2011, and the subsequent rise of the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh). This and other disappointments—Libya 2011 (again […]

Iraq Libya

In the News

May 23, 2016

Knights Joins NPR to Discuss the Security of Baghdad

By Michael Knights

Iraq Task Force Member Michael Knights joins NPR to discuss the weakened security of Baghdad amid Iraqi operations to retake Fallujah. Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

May 19, 2016

Findings from Iraq Task Force Trip to Iraq Featured by Brookings

By Kenneth Pollack

Brookings features findings of Iraq Task Force trip to Iraq with Iraq Task Force members Kenneth Pollack and Michael Knights. Read the full article here.

Iraq

Experts