A Three-Pronged Strategy to Deal with Putin

MENASource
Jun 30, 2025

Balancing acts and breaking points: Iraq’s US-Iran dilemma

By
C. Anthony Pfaff

The future of US–Iraq relations is neither as dim as it may first appear, nor as promising as one might hope.

Geopolitics & Energy Security
Iran

A Three-Pronged Strategy to Deal with Putin

MENASource
Jun 4, 2025

Why Iraq should build bridges with its ‘new’ neighbor, Syria

By
Shermine Serbest

Iraq’s position on the Syria transition is split between two camps: the official government, and that of the powerful non-state actors.

Iraq
Middle East

A Three-Pronged Strategy to Deal with Putin

MENASource
Apr 17, 2025

Trump must clarify his Iraq policy. Washington’s Middle East investment hangs in the balance.

By
Sarkawt Shamsulddin

Contradictory signals from the US president on Iraq’s Iran-connected Popular Mobilization Forces risks derailing hard-won progress.

Iraq
Middle East

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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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Kirsten Fontenrose


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs
Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East
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Abbas Kadhim


Resident Senior Fellow, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq
Middle East


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David Mack


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

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Masoud Mostajabi


Former Deputy Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment
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C. Anthony Pfaff


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
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Andrew L. Peek


Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Ahmed Tabaqchali


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Thomas S. Warrick


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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Content

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

In the News

Sep 28, 2015

Mardini on the National Guard Law Dispute

By Ramzy Mardini

Bloomberg Business quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the dispute surrounding the National Guard Law, despite the fact that militias working together against the law aren’t a unified force:

Iraq

In the News

Sep 28, 2015

Hof on Russia, Syria, Iraq Intelligence Sharing

By Frederic C. Hof

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on Iraq’s expanded security cooperation with Russia and Syria in the fight against ISIS and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s motivations for the arrangement:

Iraq Russia

In the News

Sep 27, 2015

Mardini on the US-Iraq Relationship

By Ramzy Mardini

The New York Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the US-Iraq relationship in light of increased Russian intervention in Syria:

Iraq

MENASource

Sep 18, 2015

Iraq’s Abadi Caught between Global Powers and Domestic Politics

By Ramzy Mardini

After the White House succeeded in getting Bulgaria to close its airspace to Russian overflights last week, Moscow continues to buttress Syria’s embattled regime though Iranian and Iraqi airspace, despite US requests made as recently as September 5 for the Iraqis to assist in the effort to deny the Russians a supply line to Syria.

Iraq Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Scott Cooper

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Civil Society

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Resident Senior Fellow, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Millennium fellow

Hanar Marouf

Political Officer, British Consulate General Erbil

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Iraq

Fellow

Michelle Melendez

2022-23 Senior US Marine Corps Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Iraq National Security

Fellow

Aaron C. Norwood

2023-24 Senior US Marine Corps Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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