Iraq’s Shia Militias are a Trickier Problem

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

Iraq’s Shia Militias are a Trickier Problem

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

Iraq’s Shia Militias are a Trickier Problem

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.

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Iraq Initiative
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Iraq
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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

In the News

Dec 5, 2014

Mardini on Creating Reform in Iraq

By Ramzy Mardini

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the campaign led by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider el-Abadi to stamp out corruption in the country:

Iraq

Article

Dec 4, 2014

Obama needs to act on Syria

By Nicholas Burns

OF ALL the international crises facing President Obama in his final two years in office, how to cope with a burning Iraq and disintegrating Syria may be the most daunting. Syria, especially, is facing the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world today.

Iraq Syria

Article

Dec 4, 2014

New Iraqi-Kurdish Agreement Bolsters National Unity

By Barbara Slavin

Iraq’s chances of remaining a unitary state increased significantly with the signing of a new oil and budget agreement between the Baghdad government and the Kurds. Building on a partial deal reached last month that permitted the Kurds to legally sell 150,000 barrels of oil a day through a pipeline to Turkey, the new agreement […]

Iraq
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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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Abbas Kadhim

Resident Senior Fellow, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

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Hanar Marouf

Political Officer, British Consulate General Erbil

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Iraq

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Michelle Melendez

2022-23 Senior US Marine Corps Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Iraq National Security

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Aaron C. Norwood

2023-24 Senior US Marine Corps Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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