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.

Top experts

Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 20, 2014

ISIS Execution: A Brutal “Message to America”

By New Atlanticist

The Islamist militant group ISIS executed US journalist James Foley as a political message aimed at changing US policy, with its recent air attacks on the group’s forces, says Atlantic Council resident fellow Faysal Itani. It also is meant to portray ISIS as a newly powerful player in the Middle East and thus to win […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Aug 20, 2014

Ullman: Do Not Defer Action Against IS

By Harlan Ullman

Senior Advisor Harlan K. Ullman writes for UPI.com about how to deal with ISIS:

Iraq

In the News

Aug 20, 2014

Mardini: Kurds Already Got What They Got

By Ramzy Mardini

Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramy Mardini is quoted by the Financial Times: 

Iraq

In the News

Aug 17, 2014

Slavin on Iraq, Ukraine, and US Foreign Policy

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to discuss Iraq, Ukraine, and the differences in foreign policy strategy that exist between President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:

Iraq Ukraine

In the News

Aug 15, 2014

Itani: We Must Treat ISIS Like a State to Defeat It

By Faysal Itani

Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani writes for TIME on how to defeat ISIS: 

Iraq

In the News

Aug 15, 2014

Mardini: ISIS is Insurance Policy for Sunnis

By Ramzy Mardini

Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ramzy Mardini is quoted in The Economist on the future of Iraq: 

Iraq

In the News

Aug 15, 2014

Jones: How to Save Iraq and Honor American Sacrifice

By James L. Jones, Jr.

Scowcroft Center Chairman Gen. James L. Jones, Jr., USMC (Ret.) writes for the Wall Street Journal on a strategy for Iraq: 

Iraq

MENASource

Aug 15, 2014

Cautious Optimism in Maliki’s Departure

By Ramzy Mardini

Iraq’s struggle for power ended on August 14 when Nouri al-Maliki conceded the office of the prime minister to his rival Haidar al-Abadi, a member of the same Shiite Islamist Da’awa party, who was designated by Iraq’s president earlier this week to form a government.

Iraq

MENASource

Aug 14, 2014

Obama Won’t Commit to Syria, But Congress Can

By Jason T. Hunt

The United States began directly fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS, aka ISIL, Islamic State) this weekend through airstrikes on its terrorist forces in Iraq. The strikes helped the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdish Regional Government solidify their defenses, stabilizing one front against ISIS. However, ISIS continues to maintain and consolidate a […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Aug 13, 2014

Mardini on the Challenges Facing Iraq’s Kurds

By Ramzy Mardini

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the Kurdish peshmerga forces:

Iraq

Experts