Slavin on US Strategy against ISIS on Issues in the News

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

Slavin on US Strategy against ISIS on Issues in the News

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

Slavin on US Strategy against ISIS on Issues in the News

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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Abbas Kadhim


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Iraq Initiative
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Iraq
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Content

In the News

May 22, 2015

Slavin on US Strategy against ISIS on 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 ISIS gains in Iraq and Syria, US strategy to combat ISIS, the declassified files found in bin Laden’s compound, and US politics:

Iraq Syria

MENASource

May 21, 2015

Can Turkey Compete with Iran in Iraq?

By Faysal Itani and Jeppe Sorenson

The United States in March extended its support to the Iraqi forces in Tikrit from reconnaissance to airstrikes, wisely predicted by the Iraqi president, in an attempt to hit two birds with one stone: defeating the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in Tikrit and to halt Iranian political influence and prevent “sectarian improprieties” in Iraq’s […]

Iran Iraq

MENASource

May 21, 2015

Ramadi in Context: Insurgents Not Resurging

By Ramzy Mardini

In what was a major setback to a government offensive to retake control of Anbar province, Iraqi security forces fled Ramadi as militants of the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) took full control of the provincial capital city on May 17.

Iraq

In the News

May 20, 2015

Mardini on Changing US Strategy in the Fight against ISIS

By Ramzy Mardini

Military Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on changes in US strategy in the fight against ISIS:

Iraq

EconoGraphics

May 12, 2015

Two Decades of Sovereign Debt

By Global Business & Economics

Sovereign default is considered to be a rare event. But as the lessons of the past two decades show, they are far from extraordinary. According to the IMF, the main sovereign debt restructurings from the period spanning 1998 – 2010 totaled $117.6 billion. When Greece’s 2012 default is added to that sum, it means that […]

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2015

Barzani: ‘An Independent Kurdistan is Coming’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Kurdish leader says region will hold referendum after ISIS has been defeated Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will hold a referendum on Kurdish independence once Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) extremists have been defeated, KRG President Masoud Barzani said May 6 at the Atlantic Council. Barzani couldn’t predict when an independent Kurdistan would […]

Iraq

MENASource

May 6, 2015

The Cult of ISIS and Foreign Recruits

By Mona Alami

Analysts have described the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) as the most powerful terrorist organization of this decade. However, few have discussed the shared characteristics between the extremist nebula and modern cults, particularly regarding the recruitments of westerners and fresh converts.

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Apr 17, 2015

Why Did Abadi Criticize Saudi Arabia?

By Ramzy Mardini

During his first visit to the White House as the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi surprised Washington when he criticized the Saudi Arabian-led air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran Iraq

In the News

Apr 16, 2015

Slavin: Iraqi Prime Minister Walks Back Criticism of Saudi Arabia

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s comments on Saudi Arabia’s role in the conflict in Yemen during his first official visit to the United States:

Iraq

MENASource

Apr 8, 2015

Arming the Kurds to Defeat ISIS in Mosul

By Wladimir van Wilgenburg

Buttressed by anti-ISIS coalition airstrikes, Kurdish forces (Peshmerga) have successfully maintained their front lines against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL). Both Baghdad and Washington need the Kurds to strike at ISIS in the symbolic city of Mosul, but some in the US government fear that directly arming the Kurds could encourage a future war […]

Iraq
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Experts

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Lesley Chavkin

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Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

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Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

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Richard Clarke

Distinguished Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Conflict

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Scott Cooper

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Civil Society

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Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

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Michael Groen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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