Iraq

The United States and Iraq are strategically tied through mutual interests related to the stability and security of the region. Iraq plays an important role in securing energy resources, combating extremist groups such as ISIS, and managing regional tensions. In the aftermath of the US invasion in 2003, Iraq continues to face significant challenges in attracting investment, improving governance and service delivery, balancing relations with its neighbors, and raising the quality of life of everyday Iraqis. A strong US-Iraqi relationship depends on continued cooperation on security, economic and regional affairs.

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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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Event Recap

Nov 20, 2014

Ex-US Officials Urge Broadened US Strategy in Syria, Iraq Wars

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Ground Forces Will Be Needed, General James Jones Says Ground troops, perhaps even Special Forces, will ultimately be required to defeat the Islamist militant army of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, General James L. Jones told the Atlantic Council’s Energy & Economic Summit in Istanbul today. Jones, a former national security advisor in the Obama […]

Iraq Syria
US and Iraqi soldiers, Camp Ramadi, Nov. 15, 2009

NATOSource

Nov 7, 2014

Strengthening the Nordic Military Contribution to the International Effort Against ISIL

By Sigurd Neubauer, Magnus Nordenman, Erik Brattberg, and Alex Vatanka

The rapid and brutal advance of the Islamic State, a self-proclaimed caliphate, holding onto territory in eastern Syria and western Iraq, is not only threatening the stability of Iraq’s semi autonomous Kurdistan and its religious minorities, but threatens to establish a hub of jihadism

Iraq Northern Europe

Defense Industrialist

Nov 4, 2014

A Phalanx of Pashto-Speaking Armed Intellectuals

By James Hasik

 What makes us think our militaries have the human and organizational capital for counterinsurgency?   “Counterinsurgency,” John Nagl commented the other day, “can’t be dead as long as insurgency is alive and well — and it is, and is likely to be for some time.” Indeed we may find ourselves, as former Chief of the Australian Army Peter […]

Afghanistan Iraq
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Sept. 27, 2012

NATOSource

Nov 4, 2014

French Foreign Minister: Anti-ISIL Coalition Must Also Save 300,000 Lives In Aleppo

By Laurent Fabius, Washington Post

Syria’s second-largest city and part of humanity’s ancient heritage, Aleppo is the martyred center of the resistance to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad,

France Iraq

In the News

Oct 23, 2014

Mardini on Challenges Facing Iraq’s Prime Minister

By Ramzy Mardini

Bloomberg Businessweek quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the limits of Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi’s power:

Iraq

In the News

Oct 20, 2014

Itani: Doubling Down on Disaster in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani cowrites for Politico on the different policy prescriptions outlined by political pundits such as CNN’s Fareed Zakaria: 

Iraq Syria
US and Iraqi soldiers in Diyala province, Feb. 13, 2008

NATOSource

Oct 15, 2014

Washington Wants NATO Allies to Help Retrain the Iraqi Military

By Gopal Ratnam, Foreign Policy

The difficult and dangerous task of retraining Iraqi security forces to take on the Islamic State militants who’ve made impressive gains in the north and west of Iraq will require large numbers of trainers from the United States and NATO nations

Iraq NATO

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2014

The US Fight Against ISIS: An Exercise in Futility?

By James Rupert

Fred Hof: US Policy Needs a Ground Game, and Here Are Two Ways to Build It The US military has escalated air strikes against the Islamist militant ISIS fighters who have been closing in on the Syrian town of Kobani and the nearby Turkish border, in large part because the Syrian civil war is now […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Oct 11, 2014

Slavin on Iraq, Syria, Ebola

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to discuss ongoing developments in Syria, Iraq, and Hong Kong, as well as the threat of the Ebola virus: 

Iraq Syria

In the News

Oct 10, 2014

Mardini on Federalism in Iraq

By Ramzy Mardini

The Associated Press quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on attempts by Iraq’s new government to empower the country’s local and provincial governments:

Iraq

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