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.

Planes or train?

Dispatches
Dec 10, 2025

Dispatch from Iraq: The biggest challenge awaiting the country’s next prime minister

By
Victoria J. Taylor 

A recent visit to Iraq following parliamentary elections reveals a growing divide between the political elite and the people.

Elections
Iraq

Planes or train?

New Atlanticist
Nov 14, 2025

Experts react: How will Iraq’s parliamentary election shape the country’s politics?

By
Atlantic Council experts

Our experts examine what the results of Tuesday’s elections mean for the future of Iraqi politics and Baghdad’s regional role.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions

Planes or train?

Dispatches
Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By
Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.

Democratic Transitions
Elections

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.

EXPLORE THE Iraq INitiative

Top experts

Staff


Victoria J. Taylor 


Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

Staff


Nibras Basitkey


Associate Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economy & Business

Staff


William F. Wechsler


Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security
Middle East


Fellow


Alina L. Romanowski


Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow


C. Anthony Pfaff


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Ahmed Tabaqchali


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economy & Business

Fellow


Rend Al-Rahim


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Democratic Transitions

Fellow


Yerevan Saeed


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Energy & Environment

Fellow


Akeel Abbas


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Human Rights

Fellow


Jennifer Gavito


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
French

Fellow


Safwan Al-Amin


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Omar Al-Nidawi


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Energy & Environment

Content

Defense Industrialist

Nov 23, 2015

Planes or train?

By James Hasik

Just “how can Canada best” contribute to the fight in Iraq and Syria? The Americans are bombing. The French are now bombing by the score. The British are slinging Brimstone. The Canadians will train the Peshmerga. That’s right—making good on a campaign promise, new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau still intends to withdraw the six F-18 […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Nov 13, 2015

Slavin Joins Issues in the News

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to discuss the attack by Kurdish forces on ISIS militants in Syria and Iraq, the elections in Myanmar, Russia’s plan for Syria, and the republican presidential debate:

Iraq Russia

In the News

Nov 13, 2015

Hof on US Policy against ISIS in Syria

By Frederic Hof

The Atlantic quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the horrors of the Syrian conflict and why ISIS is an easier target in Syria than Iraq: 

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Nov 9, 2015

Recalling Ahmad Chalabi, The Man Who Wanted to Take Saddam’s Place

By Thomas Krajeski

Ahmad Chalabi leaned forward in his chair, his soft hands with their perfectly manicured nails splayed flat on the table between us. “Tom, you don’t understand,” he said in his perfect, virtually unaccented English. “I would do or say anything to persuade the United States to invade Iraq and overthrow Saddam. Anything.”

Iraq
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
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Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Omar Al-Nidawi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

John B. Barranco

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Americas Iraq
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Events

Public Event Mon, April 20, 2026 • 2:30 pm ET

The future of Iraq-Syria relations
Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy Syria
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy