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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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NATO warships participating in Trident Juncture exercise, Oct. 29, 2015

NATOSource

Nov 5, 2015

NATO to Reinforce its Mediterranean Presence

By Sam Jones, Financial Times

Nato will outline proposals next month for a new “southern strategy” in response to mounting instability across the Middle East and Russia’s growing military presence south of the Bosphorus….

Iraq Libya

In the News

Oct 26, 2015

Slavin: Iraqi Shi’ite Cleric Hopes for New US President ‘Between Bush and Obama’

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on Iraq’s need for continued assistance from the United States:

Iraq

MENASource

Oct 23, 2015

Iraqi Kurdistan Needs a Referendum to Resolve its Political Crisis

By Nussaibah Younis

Iraqi Kurdistan is often hailed as a democratic, reliable, and effective partner for Western powers engaging with Iraq, but the political crisis that has overtaken the region this year has exposed just how fragile and problematic the Iraqi Kurdish political system really is.

Iraq

In the News

Oct 12, 2015

Younis: Iraq Should Fear Russia’s Help

By Nussaibah Younis

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Nussaibah Younis writes for the New York Times on why Iraq should be more cautious about accepting assistance from Russia:

Iraq Russia

New Atlanticist

Oct 8, 2015

A Three-Pronged Strategy to Deal with Putin

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s James L. Jones, Jr. recommends a toolkit that includes economic, political, and security components The United States must develop a three-pronged approach that includes economic, political, and security components to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “retrograde ambitions in favor of the peaceful and progressive order the transatlantic community and the world had envisioned […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Oct 8, 2015

Younis and Taylor: Putin’s Next Conquest

By Nussaibah Younis

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Nussaibah Younis and Assistant Director Andrea Taylor cowrite for Foreign Affairs on Russia’s next possible move in the Middle East – Iraq:

Iraq Russia
French Rafale jet, March 17, 2013

NATOSource

Oct 6, 2015

Letter from Strasbourg (Part One): French Defense Priorities and Capabilities

By Leo Michel

NATO is past the half-way mark between last September’s Wales Summit and the Warsaw Summit planned for next July. So it is not too soon to ask how Allies are responding to the strategic, capability, and other challenges identified in Wales.

France Iraq
Russian President Vladimir Putin, April 9, 2015

NATOSource

Oct 2, 2015

The Consequences of Russia’s Bombing Campaign in Syria

By Josh Seigel, Daily Signal

Under the guise of fighting terrorism to protect itself and save the ruthless government of Bashar-al-Assad, Russian warplanes on Thursday conducted a second day of airstrikes in Syria, allegedly targeting not the Islamic State but rival rebel groups.

Iraq Russia

MENASource

Sep 30, 2015

Iraq: The Fragile Economy of a Fragile State

By Nussaibah Younis and Sali Mahdy

There is little to envy in the life of embattled Iraqi Premier Haider al-Abadi, who is struggling to finance a war against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) even as the collapse of oil prices has crippled the Iraqi economy.

Iraq
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, July 30, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 28, 2015

General Dempsey: NATO has Taken Deterrence ‘For Granted’

By James Kitfield, Politico Europe

Dempsey sees yet more escalating crises while Washington and other Western capitals slash defense budgets, still vainly searching for a “peace dividend” when there is little real peace to be leveraged.

Iraq NATO

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