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.

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.

Top experts

Content

MENASource

Oct 12, 2016

Behind Erdogan’s Dismissive Statements to Iraq’s Prime Minister

By Aaron Stein

Turkey’s Iraq policy changed considerably in the past half-decade. Turkey has implicitly broken with its “one Iraq” policy and, since 2010, has taken steps to deepen alliances with political actors, committed to the further decentralization—and, in the longer term, break-up—of the Iraqi state. This policy is a sharp departure from Turkey’s history of advocacy for […]

Iraq Turkey

In the News

Oct 10, 2016

Stein Quoted by Rudaw on Turkey’s Desire to Play a Role in Mosul Operation

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Iraq Turkey

In the News

Oct 6, 2016

Mardini Quoted by Financial Times on the War Against Isis Having Fragmented Iraq on Levels of State and Society

By Ramzy Mardini

Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

Oct 5, 2016

Mardini Quoted by Rudaw on the Mosul Operation

By Ramzy Mardini

Read the full article here.

Iraq

In the News

Oct 3, 2016

Daniels Joins Rudaw to Discuss the Fight for Mosul

By Owen Daniels

Watch the full interview here.

Iraq

Report

Sep 15, 2016

Iraqi Kurdistan oil and gas outlook

By John Roberts

As the war against ISIS renders borders increasingly malleable and further strains relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the likelihood of a declaration of independence from the Kurdistan region of Iraq increases. What are the options for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to capitalize on its oil and natural gas reserves, as well as options that would be available to an independent Kurdistan?

Energy & Environment Iraq

In the News

Sep 14, 2016

Slavin in Voice of America: State Department Removes Last MEK Members from Iraq

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iraq

MENASource

Sep 14, 2016

The Future of Secularism in Iraq

By Safwan Al-Amin

In today’s Iraq, political movements and politicians shy away from promoting secularism or proclaiming to be secularists. The reasons for this—and the reasons for the rise of religious (and religious identity) politics in Iraq after the 1958 coup in which the Hashemite monarchy was overthrown—are numerous and complex. Some of the main factors that may […]

Iraq
Danish fighter jet, Sept. 20, 2014

NATOSource

Aug 17, 2016

NATO Can Do More to Destroy Islamic State—If We Ask

By Dianne Feinstein, Wall Street Journal

Only a quarter of the alliance is attacking ISIS. Invoke the treaty’s defense clause to expand the effort.

International Organizations Iraq

Defense Industrialist

Aug 17, 2016

On battlecruisers, blockades, and Donald Trump

By James Hasik

Whatever administration takes office, the US needs to better match its procurement plans to its operational strategies. Writing this week for Chatham House, Julianne Smith, Rachel Rizzo and Adam Twardowski find that one military topic on which Donald Trump may offer views significantly differing from those of the other presidential candidates is procurement. In their […]

China Conflict

Experts

Events