I covered the battle against ISIS in Mosul. Gaza’s challenges will make it look like child’s play.

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
I covered the battle against ISIS in Mosul. Gaza’s challenges will make it look like child’s play.

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
I covered the battle against ISIS in Mosul. Gaza’s challenges will make it look like child’s play.

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

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

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Kirsten Fontenrose

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East National Security

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Fellow

David Mack

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Former staff

Masoud Mostajabi

Former Deputy Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment English

Fellow

C. Anthony Pfaff

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Former fellow

Andrew L. Peek

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Defense Policy

Fellow

Ahmed Tabaqchali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Content

MENASource

Nov 15, 2023

I covered the battle against ISIS in Mosul. Gaza’s challenges will make it look like child’s play.

By Arwa Damon

If there is something to be drawn from those lessons, it is that what Israel is doing right now will secure anything but peace and stability.

Iraq Israel

In the News

Nov 13, 2023

Rich Outzen joins Arab News for an interview on Iraq-Turkey pipeline
Energy & Environment Iraq

MENASource

Nov 7, 2023

Iraq is at a crossroads. Will it choose its Shia militias or relations with the US?

By Sarkawt Shamsulddin

Iraq is facing a high-stakes balancing act that carries profound implications for its relations with the United States and regional stability.

Iraq Israel

New Atlanticist

Nov 1, 2023

A Marine’s view: What Israeli ground forces will face in Gaza

By John B. Barranco

A US Marine who fought in Baghdad, Ramadi, Fallujah, and Kandahar shares insights on the challenges facing Israeli ground forces as they try to destroy Hamas in Gaza.

Conflict Iraq

MENASource

Oct 20, 2023

The conflict in Gaza threatens Iraq’s stability, progress in US-Iraq relations

By C. Anthony Pfaff

After Israel responded to Hamas’s deadly October 7 attacks, Iraqis took to the streets in massive pro-Palestinian protests, burning Israeli flags and chanting anti-American slogans.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Oct 13, 2023

Katz in VOA (Kurdish): Iraq between the United States and Russia

By Atlantic Council

Crisis Management International Norms

MENASource

Aug 17, 2023

The path to transforming Iraqi Kurdistan’s economic diversity and potential

By Honar Issa

The self-sufficiency and sustainability of a government are contingent on a strong economy, and this is the path the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has taken.

Economy & Business Iraq

MENASource

Jun 16, 2023

How the international community can help Iraq on a path toward democratic stability

By Sarkawt Shamsulddin

The international community should increase its financial support for civil-society organizations in Iraq, as these play an instrumental role in reconciling ethnic divisions while promoting democratic principles among younger people.

Civil Society Corruption
Dr. Azzam Alwash (right) speaking at a private roundtable event, alongside Iraq Initiative Director and moderator Dr. Abbas Kadhim (left).

Events

Jun 7, 2023

Private roundtable on Iraq with Dr. Azzam Alwash

By Atlantic Council

On May 18, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative hosted Dr. Azzam Alwash, Founder and CEO of Nature Iraq, for a private hybrid roundtable discussion on Iraq’s environmental crisis and future efforts to address climate change. Iraq Initiative Director Dr. Abbas Kadhim moderated the conversation.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

MENASource

May 24, 2023

The US needs to be proactive in order to break its escalatory cycle with Iran

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Here we go again. On March 23, Iran-backed Iraqi militias launched a drone attack that killed an American contractor and wounded another, as well as twenty-four US military personnel. The attack feels very much like a repeat of the one in December 2019, which also killed a US contractor and led to an escalatory cycle, […]

Conflict Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Richard Clarke

Distinguished Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Conflict

Fellow

Scott Cooper

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Civil Society

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Michael Groen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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