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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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New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2015

Saudi Arabia Must Find Cure for ‘Wahhabi Virus,’ Says Iraqi Lawmaker

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Most important factor in the war on ISIS is theological, says Mowaffak al Rubaie, a former National Security Advisor of Iraq Mowaffak al Rubaie is a former National Security Advisor of Iraq who currently serves as a member of parliament in Baghdad. In this interview with the New Atlanticist’s Ashish Kumar Sen, Rubaie discusses the […]

Iran Iraq

MENASource

Dec 18, 2015

The US-Iraq Disconnect over Fighting ISIS

By Nussaibah Younis

Time and time again, the US administration has said that the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) cannot be defeated in Iraq without local Sunnis spearheading the fight.

Iraq

In the News

Dec 11, 2015

Ricciardone on Turkey, Iraq, and ISIS

By Francis Ricciardone

Trend News Agency quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone on tensions between Turkey and Iraq, and why they should focus on defeating their common enemy, ISIS:

Iraq Turkey

MENASource

Dec 11, 2015

Turkey Deepens Its Presence in Nineveh

By Aaron Stein

Turkey has deployed some 150 troops to train a militia under the control of Osama and Atheel Nujaifi, two close Turkish allies in Iraq. Nineveh’s former governor, Atheel al-Nujaifi, authorized Ankara to deploy trainers near the town of Bashiqa in March, ostensibly to train a hold force to take control of Mosul once the city […]

Iraq Turkey

In the News

Dec 9, 2015

Mardini: No Authority: Shiite Militarization in a Fragmented Iraq

By Ramzy Mardini

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini writes for World Politics Review on the Iraqi government’s attempts to find stability and control: 

Iraq

In the News

Dec 7, 2015

Stein on Turkish Troops in Iraq

By Aaron Stein

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Aaron Stein on the additional Turkish troops moving to a base in northern Iraq to fight ISIS:

Iraq Turkey

In the News

Dec 6, 2015

Stein on Turkish Troops in Iraq

By Aaron Stein

Bloomberg quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Aaron Stein on Turkey backtracking on its plan to deploy additional troops into Iraq:

Iraq Turkey

Issue Brief

Dec 3, 2015

ISIS war game III: The final phase

By Bilal Y. Saab

September 2015 marked the one-year anniversary of President Barack Obama’s speech outlining the administration’s strategy to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Yet, ISIS celebrated in June its own first-year anniversary of setting up a state by conducting three nearly simultaneous terrorist operations in three different countries—France, Tunisia, and […]

Iraq Middle East

In the News

Dec 2, 2015

Hof on the Deployment of US Troops to Fight ISIS in Iraq

By Frederic C. Hof

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the deployment of US special operation troops to Iraq following the deadly attacks in Paris:

Iraq

MENASource

Dec 1, 2015

Migrants, Extremism, and US Policy

By MENASource

An interview with Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns Migrants fleeing conflicts across the Middle East have washed up on European shores, but the global response–particularly after the terrorist incidents that took place in Paris two weeks ago–has left these refugees with few options. Stemming from a fear of terrorist infiltration, many countries are either in the […]

Iraq Syria

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