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.

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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New Atlanticist

Jun 28, 2013

Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey Proceed Slowly on Energy Cooperation

By Ross Wilson & David Koranyi

Overshadowed by the Syrian civil war, rising violence in Iraq, and recent turmoil in Turkey, another problem is simmering in the Middle East.  Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) recently reported that a long-mooted new oil pipeline to Turkey should be completed within months.  By making possible oil not controlled by the Iraqi central government, this […]

Iraq Turkey
Globe

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2013

Too Many Archdukes, Too Many Bullets

By Harlan Ullman

Ninety-nine years ago this Friday, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his pregnant wife Sofia were gunned down in Sarajevo by a 19-year old Bosnian Serb nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. The assassinations quickly provoked a crisis that more quickly erupted into world war. Ironically, many of the elites in Europe believed that an early 20th-century version of […]

Afghanistan Cybersecurity

Event Recap

Jun 6, 2013

Stability and Reconstruction Operations Under Fire

On June 6, the South Asia Center hosted a discussion with Stuart Bowen, special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction. Mr. Bowen addressed lessons learned from Iraq and the need for a new model for stability and reconstruction operations (SROs).

Iraq

MENASource

May 2, 2013

Iraq’s Dangerous Relapse Needs US Attention

By Ramzy Mardini

The month of April marked the tenth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad, the third provincial election of the post-Saddam era—the country’s first without the presence of US troops—and seven years since a relatively unknown Nouri al-Maliki emerged as the prime minister of Iraq. Nevertheless, after a period of relatively low violence and another election […]

Iraq United States and Canada

Event Recap

Apr 8, 2013

Energy Resources in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Promoting Regional Stability and Prosperity

On April 8, 2013, the Atlantic Council’s Patriciu Eurasia Center held a public discussion on “Energy Resources in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq” with the Minister of Natural Resources Dr. Ashti Hawrami.

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2013

Shocking and Awing

By Harlan Ullman

Ten years ago this month, the United States launched Operation Iraqi Freedom against Saddam Hussein.

Iraq Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2013

Arming Syria’s Rebels No Panacea

By Daniel Trombly

With an influx of Saudi-purchased arms and ideas floating for non-lethal aid to the Syrian rebels, irate supporters of directly arming the Syrian rebels are demanding more.

Iraq Security & Defense

MENASource

Nov 29, 2012

Problems With Neighbors: Turkey, Iraq, and the Syrian Kurds

With reports of clashes between Kurdish militias and jihadist elements of the Syrian opposition in the ethnically mixed town of Ras al-Ain on the Syrian-Turkish border, the question of how Syria’s Kurdish population will fit into a post-Assad state has been forced to the front. For the past twenty months Syrian opposition forces have challenged […]

Iraq Syria

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2012

Limits of Military Power

By Derek Reveron

In its recent report titled “A Decade at War.” the Pentagon’s Directorate for Joint Force Development (J-7) observed that  the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan “were often marked by numerous missteps and challenges as the US government and military applied a strategy and force suited for a different threat and environment.”

Afghanistan Iraq

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2012

The Changing American Way of War

By Derek Reveron

Since November 2001, the United States has been on a massive war footing, with 2.4 million forces deployed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Compared to previous wars, thankfully, casualties have been minimal. In Iraq, under 4,500 were killed and 30,000 wounded. In Afghanistan, fewer than 2,000 have been killed and 15,000 wounded. While physical […]

Afghanistan Iraq

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