Mardini on Iraqi Parliamentary Reforms

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

Mardini on Iraqi Parliamentary Reforms

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

Mardini on Iraqi Parliamentary Reforms

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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In the News

Aug 11, 2015

Mardini on Iraqi Parliamentary Reforms

By Ramzy Mardini

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the parliamentary reforms proposed by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi designed to counter corruption in the government:

Iraq

In the News

Aug 11, 2015

Mardini on Iraq’s Political Reforms

By Ramzy Mardini

The New York Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the Iraqi parliament’s vote on anti-corruption measures and the potential for unintended consequences:

Iraq
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, July 28, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 31, 2015

NATO Greenlights New Defense Training Program for Iraq

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

NATO Allies have just agreed on a defence capacity building package for Iraq. It will help strengthen the country’s security and defence sector by providing support in areas where NATO is best-placed to add value.

Iraq NATO
NATO meeting to discuss terrorists attacks in Turkey, July 28, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 29, 2015

Possible Division in NATO Over Turkey’s Attacks Against Kurds

By Julian Barnes, Joe Parkinson, and Ayla Albayrak, Wall Street Journal

As the NATO ambassadors met in Brussels, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan effectively declared the three-year-old peace process with the PKK over. His air force bombed militants affiliated with the group in the country’s southeastern Kurdish heartland.

Iraq NATO

In the News

Jul 25, 2015

Ricciardone on Turkey Expanding Air Campaign

By Francis J. Ricciardone

The National quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone on Turkey expanding its cross-border strikes against ISIS in Syria to include Kurdish militant bases in northern Iraq:

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jul 22, 2015

Lipke: How to Wage War Against ISIS Online

By Alexa Lipke

Transatlantic Security Initiative Intern Alexa Lipke writes for The National Interest on how to fight ISIS’s online influence:

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jul 21, 2015

Hadley and Ricciardone on ISIS

By Atlantic Council

Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone and former National Security Advisor and Middle East Strategy Task Force (MEST) Co-Chair Stephen Hadley join Voice of America to discuss ways to combat ISIS and the need for strong governance in Syria and Iraq to combat terrorism:

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Jul 17, 2015

Washington and Tehran Remain at Odds in Iraq

By Aaron Stein

On Tuesday July 15, the P5+1 and Iran finalized an agreement that places significant limits on Iran’s nuclear program for the next twenty-five years.

Iran Iraq
UK Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton and US Gen. Martin Dempsey, Jan. 22, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 16, 2015

UK Defense Chief Sees Air Force Combat Jet Fleet Stretched

By Robert Wall, Wall Street Journal

Britain’s top military officer said Wednesday the country’s fleet of combat jets is stretched to the limit and could struggle to take on additional roles in fighting Islamist extremists in the Middle East without scaling back elsewhere.

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jul 8, 2015

Mardini on US Military in Iraq

By Ramzy Mardini

The Washington Examiner quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the implications of US military involvement in Iraq, in light of the Obama administration’s pending decision to send more troops overseas: 

Iraq
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Marie Forestier 

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Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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