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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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MENASource

Jun 12, 2015

ISIL, Iraq, and Syria: The Strategy Challenge

By Frederic C. Hof

Once again, President Barack Obama is taking grief for having committed truth on the subject of strategy: this time acknowledging the incompleteness thereof in the context of training the Iraqi national army.

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jun 1, 2015

Saab on Iraq’s Military Campaign Rebranding

By Bilal Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab joins SiriusXM Radio to discuss Iraq’s rebranding of its military campaign against ISIS:

Iraq

In the News

May 28, 2015

Mardini on Iraqi Troops

By Ramzy Mardini

Military Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the lack of US-trained troops in the Iraqi army’s Ramadi offensive:

Iraq

MENASource

May 27, 2015

A Better Solution to the Kurdish Arms Issue

By Daniel R. DePetris

Should the United States arm the Kurdish Peshmerga directly, without the consent and participation of the government in Baghdad?

Iraq

In the News

May 27, 2015

Mardini on Iraqi Tribal Rifts

By Ramzy Mardini

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on how internal tribal divisions are hobbling Iraq’s response to ISIS:

Iraq

MENASource

May 26, 2015

Turkey’s Weakness in Iraq Tied to Weakness in Nujaifi

By Aaron Stein

The fall of Ramadi has prompted questions about the overarching US plan to degrade and defeat the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL). For neighboring Turkey, the plan remains deeply flawed, owing to the notion that ISIS’s defeat requires the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Iraq Turkey

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

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