Canadian Special Forces Are First Western Troops in Ground Battle with ISIL

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

Canadian Special Forces Are First Western Troops in Ground Battle with ISIL

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

Canadian Special Forces Are First Western Troops in Ground Battle with ISIL

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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Kirsten Fontenrose


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Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs
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Iraq
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Content

Canadian soldiers returning fire in Afghanistan, Nov. 17, 2007

NATOSource

Jan 20, 2015

Canadian Special Forces Are First Western Troops in Ground Battle with ISIL

By AFP

Canadian special forces exchanged gunfire with Islamic State fighters in Iraq in recent days, in the first confirmed ground battle between Western troops and IS, a senior officer said Monday.

Iraq United States and Canada

In the News

Jan 15, 2015

Itani on an ISIS Defeat in Kobani

By Faysal Itani

The Associated Press quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on what a defeat in the symbolic city of Kobani would mean for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham: 

Iraq

MENASource

Jan 8, 2015

Abadi’s First 100 Days

By Daniel R. DePetris

Before Haider al-Abadi, a senior Dawa Party technocrat known for his collegial and consensual demeanor, catapulted to the prime minister’s office, there was a strong case to be made that the Iraq as we knew it was quickly coming apart at the seams.  The Iraqi army (the same army that was built, trained, and maintained […]

Iraq

MENASource

Dec 24, 2014

Iraq’s Shia Militias are a Trickier Problem

By Ramzy Mardini

While much of the international media’s attention focuses on the threat posed by the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL), the more complicated and longer-term problem for Iraq is the resurgence of its Shia militias.

Iraq

MENASource

Dec 24, 2014

ISIS’s Governance Crisis (Part II): Social Services

By Mona Alami

In its fourth issue of its English-language newsletter Dabig, the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) boasted that a “state cannot be established” unless it looked after both the “worldly and the religious needs” of Muslims. With that specific goal in mind, ISIS has entrenched itself in the daily life of residents of the region straddling […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Dec 21, 2014

Mardini: Haider Al Abadi Faces Some Tough Choices

By Ramzy Mardini

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini writes for the National on the tough choices facing Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi: 

Iraq

MENASource

Dec 19, 2014

ISIS’s Governance Crisis (Part I): Economic Governance

By Mona Alami

Last summer, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIl or ISIS) consolidated its control over large swaths of Syrian and Iraqi territory. The terrorist nebula has seen a rapid transformation, consolidating its grip through recruitment, fear, and the imposition of social policy in an attempt at governance.

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Dec 16, 2014

Abadi and the Iraq Effect

By Ramzy Mardini

Will Haider al-Abadi survive Iraqi politics? The new Iraqi prime minister has certainly made bold decisions early on into his tenure as prime minister. Nevertheless, his political survival remains an uncertainty.

Iraq

In the News

Dec 10, 2014

Slavin on the Kurdish-Baghdad Agreement

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor on the recent oil and budget deal signed between Kurdish and Iraqi leaders:

Iraq

Defense Industrialist

Dec 9, 2014

The Unintended Consequences of Saving Lives

By James Hasik

Experiences with cruise missiles, MRAPs, and Iron Dome provide a warning about the F-35.    When and why do defense officials choose to procure equipment specifically to reduce wartime casualties? As recounted at a recent Cato Institute conference that I attended, there are competing answers attempting to explain why voters offer or withhold their support. Officials sometimes act […]

Iraq Israel
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Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Scott D. Berrier

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

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Linda Lourie

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Artificial Intelligence Australia

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Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

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Nibras Basitkey

Associate Director, empowerME

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

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Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society
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