Itani on the Crisis in Iraq

Dispatches
Dec 10, 2025

Dispatch from Iraq: The biggest challenge awaiting the country’s next prime minister

By
Victoria J. Taylor 

A recent visit to Iraq following parliamentary elections reveals a growing divide between the political elite and the people.

Elections
Iraq

Itani on the Crisis in Iraq

New Atlanticist
Nov 14, 2025

Experts react: How will Iraq’s parliamentary election shape the country’s politics?

By
Atlantic Council experts

Our experts examine what the results of Tuesday’s elections mean for the future of Iraqi politics and Baghdad’s regional role.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions

Itani on the Crisis in Iraq

Dispatches
Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By
Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.

Democratic Transitions
Elections

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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Victoria J. Taylor 


Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Nibras Basitkey


Associate Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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William F. Wechsler


Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Alina L. Romanowski


Distinguished Fellow

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C. Anthony Pfaff


Nonresident Senior Fellow

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Ahmed Tabaqchali


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Rend Al-Rahim


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Democratic Transitions

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Yerevan Saeed


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Akeel Abbas


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
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Jennifer Gavito


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Safwan Al-Amin


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
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Omar Al-Nidawi


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Content

In the News

Jun 12, 2014

Itani on the Crisis in Iraq

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins WDEL’s Deleware News at Noon to discuss the ongoing crisis in Iraq: Listen to the interview here.

Iraq

MENASource

Jun 12, 2014

For ISIS, Iraq’s Spoils Could Tip Balance in Eastern Syria

By Karen Leigh

Photos depicting militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) driving US-made armored vehicles across the Iraqi border into the Syrian province of Deir Ezzor could prove that the porous border between Iraq and Syria is now an open road for ISIS fighters hoping to establish a Sunni caliphate in the region.

Iraq
Syria

In the News

Jun 12, 2014

Mardini on How Syrian Crisis Affects Iraq Instability

By Ramzy Mardini

CNN quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on how the success of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has fed into its recent agression in Iraq:

Iraq
Syria

In the News

Jun 11, 2014

Itani: Iraqi Insurgents “Know What [They’re] Doing”

By Faysal Itani

Al Jazeera America quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on recent insurgent gains in several key Iraqi cities:

Iraq
"All institutions of Turkey are on alert"

NATOSource

Jun 11, 2014

Turkey is ‘On Alert’ After Al Qaeda Affiliate Seizes Turkish Hostages in Iraq

By Hurriyet Daily News

The state of Turkey was “on alert” late June 11 after 80 Turkish citizens, including Consul General Öztürk Yılmaz, have been taken hostage by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)

Iraq
NATO

In the News

Jun 11, 2014

Mardini on Current Chaos in Iraq

By Ramzy Mardini

The Los Angeles Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on gains made by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Iraq: 

Iraq
Meeting of NATO defense ministers, June 3, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 11, 2014

Turkey Calls for Emergency NATO Meeting on Security Situation in Iraq

By Reuters and Telegraph

From Reuters:  NATO ambassadors held an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening at Turkey’s request to discuss the situation in Iraq, where militants took 80 Turkish citizens hostage,a NATO official said.

Iraq
NATO

MENASource

Jun 11, 2014

The United States Should Reconsider the Kurds

By Wladimir van Wilgenburg

The United States has opposed Kurdish ambitions in both in Iraq and Syria for more autonomy, citing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Iraqi and Syrian state.

Iraq
Syria

MENASource

May 28, 2014

Iran: King of Kingmakers in Iraq

By Ramzy Mardini

With the results of the national elections announced by the electoral commission last week, the process of forming the next government in Iraq is now underway. Much is at stake for multiple parties and personalities, but no other individual has more to lose than the current prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who is adamant on securing […]

Iran
Iraq

MENASource

May 16, 2014

The Kurdish Dilemma: Counterterrorism and Realpolitik in Iraq

By Wladimir van Wilgenburg

Increased calls from the Iraqi army to the United States to provide promised F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters are aimed at destroying the Iraqi offshoot of al-Qaeda in Sunni heartland of Iraq. However, the Iraqi army’s fight against Sunni insurgents rather than increased border protection raises worries among Kurds that the Iraqi army could […]

Iraq
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Experts

Millennium fellow

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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Daniel E. Mouton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Defense Industry Defense Policy

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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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Rich Outzen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Arabic Central Asia

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C. Anthony Pfaff

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English
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Events

Public Event Mon, February 23, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

POSTPONED—The future of Iraq-Syria relations
Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy Syria