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.

Kurdish Issues: Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government in a Changing Middle East

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

Kurdish Issues: Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government in a Changing Middle East

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

Kurdish Issues: Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government in a Changing Middle East

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.

EXPLORE THE Iraq INitiative

Top experts

Staff


Victoria J. Taylor 


Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

Staff


Nibras Basitkey


Associate Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economy & Business

Staff


William F. Wechsler


Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security
Middle East


Fellow


Alina L. Romanowski


Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow


C. Anthony Pfaff


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Ahmed Tabaqchali


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economy & Business

Fellow


Rend Al-Rahim


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Democratic Transitions

Fellow


Yerevan Saeed


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Energy & Environment

Fellow


Akeel Abbas


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Human Rights

Fellow


Jennifer Gavito


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
French

Fellow


Safwan Al-Amin


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Omar Al-Nidawi


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Energy & Environment

Content

Event Recap

Feb 23, 2012

Kurdish Issues: Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government in a Changing Middle East

By Adrienne Chuck

On February 23, the Middle East Institute and the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center hosted a discussion on Kurdish issues in the region with special guests Henri Barkey and Qubad Talabani.

Iraq Turkey

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2012

Post-American Iraq: Forgotten Piece of Land?

By Anna Borshchevskaya

The last convoy of US soldiers pulled out of Iraq on December 18, 2011, leaving Iraqis with mixed feelings: pride in gained sovereignty, but anxiety about sectarian violence and the inability of Iraq’s security forces to maintain peace on their own. While publically Iraqis may have supported the withdrawal, in private, they often expressed reservations. […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2011

Iraq: Worst Fears Coming True

By James Joyner

For years, analysts have worried that Iraq’s tenuous hold on stability would collapse upon the withdrawal of US forces. We’re now watching it happen.

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2011

Mission Not Accomplished

By Harlan Ullman

Last week, the Obama administration announced the end of U.S. engagement in the Iraq war, honoring a campaign promise and the agreement that U.S. President George W. Bush reached with Baghdad to remove combat forces by the end of 2011.   But violence and instability in Iraq and the region are far from over. And […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Nov 2, 2011

As US Exits Iraq, “Endgame” in Afghanistan Remains Elusive

By Barbara Slavin

Washington’s failure to gain Iraqi approval for a significant U.S. military presence in that country beyond December could make it harder for Afghanistan to agree to a similar deployment beyond 2014. Vali Nasr, a former senior adviser to the State Department on Afghanistan and Pakistan, said the Iraq experience could be a “model” for Afghanistan. […]

Afghanistan Iraq

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2011

Threats to Iraq’s Democracy Extend Beyond Security

By Yuvaraj Sivalingam

President Obama’s announcement that the US troop presence in Iraq will come to an end in December sparked a debate not only over the wisdom of the decision but also the capacity of the Iraqi military and police to maintain law and order in the country. While security threats do pose a significant danger to Iraq’s […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2011

Leaving Iraq a Necessary Risk

By James Joyner

President Obama’s surprise announcement Friday that all US forces would leave Iraq in time to be home for the holidays has been roundly condemned. While there are real concerns about what happens next, there was no better alternative. American Security Project senior fellow Michael Cohen dismisses the critiques as “nakedly partisan talking points masquerading as policy disputes.” In some […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Oct 24, 2011

Iraq: A Trillion Dollars Worth of Nothing

By Sarwar Kashmeri

For many Americans, news that the nearly 9-year-old war in Iraq is finally over will evoke feelings of relief but also revulsion. Relief, for the families of the military women and men that are coming home. And revulsion, for the officials and politicians that lacked the courage to prevent this unnecessary war. For me personally, […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2009

Iraqi Oil Contracts: Did America Lose Out?

By Don Snow

The announcement last week that the Iraqi government had awarded foreign contracts for the exploitation of a number of its oil fields created a remarkably mild, one-day reaction in the popular press. The gist of the awards, of course, was that virtually everybody, from the Russians and Chinese to the Malaysians and Angolans, were given […]

Iraq

New Atlanticist

Jun 29, 2009

Iraq Victory Achieved with Handover?

By Chris Dierkes

Tomorrow is the deadline for the exit of US Forces from the cities in Iraq, as per the details of the Status of Forces Agreement between the (then) Bush and Maliki governments.

Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Omar Al-Nidawi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

John B. Barranco

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Americas Iraq
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Events

Online Event Tue, March 24, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The future of Iran’s axis of resistance
Iran Iraq Israel Lebanon
Public Event Mon, April 20, 2026 • 2:30 pm ET

The future of Iraq-Syria relations
Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy Syria
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy