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

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

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2015

US Response to Migrant Crisis an ‘Existential Issue’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former State Department official, R. Nicholas Burns, says United States needs to do more to help Syrian war refugees Americans need to repudiate the “deeply offensive” anti-migrant rhetoric coming from Republican presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Ben Carson that runs contrary to the founding principles of the United States of America, said R. Nicholas Burns, […]

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

Nov 24, 2015

Turkey Shot Down a Russian Jet. Here’s Why it Matters.

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The downing of a Russian SU-24 fighter jet by Turkey after it violated Turkish airspace and ignored ten warnings exemplifies the danger of Russian military support for Syria’s embattled President Bashar al-Assad. But it will also complicate French President François Hollande’s quest to include Moscow in a unified coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq […]

Iraq NATO

MENASource

Nov 23, 2015

FACTBOX: Evolution of the Islamic State’s Chemical Weapons Capacity

By Andrea Taylor

Days after the terror attack in Paris, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told the French parliament the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) presents a “risk [to France] of chemical or bacteriological weapons.”

Iraq Syria

Experts

Events