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

In the News

Aug 10, 2016

Stein Joins Kurdistan 24 to Discuss US Involvement in the Anticipated Mosul Operation

By Aaron Stein

Watch the full interview here.

Iraq

In the News

Jul 31, 2016

Abdo in the National Interest: How Iraq’s Most Senior Cleric Became a Major Power Broker

By Geneive Abdo

Read the full article here.

Iraq

Future of Iraq Taskforce

Jul 28, 2016

Younis Joins NPR to Discuss the Lessons We Have Learned from the Iraq War

By Nussaibah Younis

Iraq

In the News

Jul 20, 2016

Younis in MarketWatch: We’ve Learned the Wrong Lesson from the Iraq War: Never Intervene

By Nussaibah Younis

Read the full article here.

Iraq

MENASource

Jul 18, 2016

A Middle East Agenda for Hillary Clinton

By Nabeel Khoury

As Hillary Clinton emerges as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2016 presidential elections after an endorsement by rival Bernie Sanders, challenges loom ahead, both as policy issues and as strategies that need to be planned for when a potential presidential term begins.

Iraq Israel
Gen. Edward Cardon, commander of U.S. Army Cyber Command and Second Army, April 21, 2016 (photo: David Vergun/US Army)

NATOSource

Jul 15, 2016

Pentagon Publicly Acknowledges its First Major Offensive Cyber Campaign

By Ellen Nakashima and Missy Ryan, Washington Post

An unprecedented Pentagon cyber-offensive against the Islamic State has gotten off to a slow start, officials said

Cybersecurity Iraq

In the News

Jul 15, 2016

Christian Science Monitor Quotes Hassan on the Implications of ISIS’s Failure to Maintain Popular Support in Fallujah

By Kawa Hassan

Christian Science Monitor quotes Iraq Task Force Member Kawa Hassan: “It could be a turning point, if—and this is a big ‘if’—the Iraqi government and other forces play a positive role,” says Kawa Hassan, the Brussels-based director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the EastWest Institute. “The government needs to start with […]

Iraq

In the News

Jul 13, 2016

Hassan Quoted in OpenCanada About Kurdish Independence

By Kawa Hassan

Read the full article here.

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2016

It’s Time for Iraq’s Kurds to be Entrepreneurial

By Bina Hussein

Dreams of economic prosperity and stability came crashing down in Kurdistan when the Iraqi central government ceased supporting the region’s budget, oil and gas prices hit rock bottom, and the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) flared up in other parts of the country—causing over 1.8 million refugees and internally displaced […]

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jul 11, 2016

Hassan Addresses the European Parliament on Security in Iraq

By Kawa Hassan

Iraq Task Force Member Kawa Hassan addresses the security and defense subcomittee of the European Parliament on security in Iraq. Read the full article here.

Iraq

Experts

Events