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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Fatimyoun
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Fatemiyoun/Zainabiyoun Influx: Iraq’s Intensified Hosting of Two U.S.-Designated Terrorist Groups
New data shows that Iran-backed Afghan and Pakistani terrorists are arriving at a broadening range of Iraqi military bases.
Feb 11, 2025
◆
  • Hassan al-Araji
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Sary Mumayiz
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sudani London
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sudani Brings Advisors to London Who Support Terrorism and Call for Attacks on U.S.-Led Coalition Forces
Figures linked to Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah were among the Iraqi prime minister's recent UK delegation.
Feb 6, 2025
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
A local resident walks in front of a sign promoting a USAID-funded project in Hebron - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Trump’s Foreign Assistance Review Prioritizes Funding Over Policy
Cutting aid programs is not inherently wrong—but making those cuts before assessing their specific impact on regional allies and American lives could be disastrous for U.S. policy in the Middle East.
Feb 5, 2025
◆
  • Ben Fishman
Liwa Fatimiyoun flag
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hundreds of Iran-Backed Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun Terrorists Warehoused at Iraqi Government Bases
Since the fall of the Assad regime, Baghdad has provided shelter and material support to members of two U.S.-designated Afghan and Pakistani groups run by the Iranian military.
Jan 29, 2025
◆
  • Sary Mumayiz
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
A Kaabi
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militia Leader Labels President Trump an "Idiot," Threatens U.S. Forces
U.S.-designated terrorist Akram Kaabi is projecting a sense of impunity and demonstrating little fear of the United States or its leader.
Jan 26, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Mohammad Reza Nouri and Qassem Soleimani 2
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iran Makes Second Effort to Recover IRGC Officer from Iraqi Custody
The regime wants Baghdad to hand over the officer who orchestrated the 2022 murder of U.S. citizen Stephen Troell—not the first time it has leveraged Iraqi militia factions to seek his release.
Jan 23, 2025
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sudani Iran 2
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
PMF Non-Deployment to Save Assad: Sudani’s View Contradicted by Iran
The Iraqi prime minister portrayed Baghdad's non-intervention in Syria as a sovereign decision, but Iranian leaders gave a different explanation.
Jan 21, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Muhandis/Soleimani
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Too Scared to Fully Commemorate Soleimani and Muhandis
In the shadow of Trump's imminent inauguration, Iran-backed terrorist groups were cautious in how they commemorated the anniversary of the January 2020 killings.
Jan 14, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Qais
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Long Will Qais al-Khazali Hide in Iran?
The leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq has been abroad for weeks, and his movements (and those of his deputies back home) are worth watching closely.
Dec 24, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
An Iraqi member of a Shia PMF militia
Articles & Testimony
While Israel Now Wants to Go After Iraqi Militias, Trump May Not
The Hashd may already be deterred somewhat by recent events, but Trump will likely seek to maintain the pressure by withholding annual military assistance to Baghdad.
Dec 23, 2024
◆
  • David Schenker
CMC head
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraq's Militia-Led Communications Commission Clamps Down on Press Coverage of Security Issues
The CMC's latest restrictions on press freedoms indicate that Iran-backed groups fear they could be ousted from power much like Bashar al-Assad next door.
Dec 16, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Security forces the Iraqi-Syrian border, after it has been reopened for trade and travel, in Al Qaim, Iraq in 2019 - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Nujaba Projects Paranoia Over Domestic Security
Nujaba's immediate allergic reaction to regime change in Syria is a bellwether of how vulnerable Coordination Framework militias feel as pro-Iran hierarchies come tumbling down.
Dec 16, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
HH
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hashem al-Haidari Calls for Preemptive Actions Against U.S. Embassy
One of Iran's most trusted lieutenants in the Iraqi militia scene is loudly rattling his saber against the U.S. presence in the Middle East.
Dec 16, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Articles & Testimony
The Emergence of Two Distinct Jihadist Ways of War
Comparing the offensive that toppled Assad with the Islamic State's 2014 campaign in Iraq shows how HTS has innovated its approach by mixing old and new tactics.
Dec 12, 2024
◆
  • Ido Levy
Articles & Testimony
Remaining, Waiting for Expansion (Again): The Islamic State’s Operations in Iraq and Syria
Despite the group's expansion in other parts of the world, its original base in Iraq and Syria remains relevant due to the area's uncertain status quo and the looming prospect of U.S. military withdrawals.
Dec 5, 2024
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
A soldier from Iraq's Counter Terrorism Service participates in a joint training exercise with U.S. colleagues - source: U.S. Department of Defense
Brief Analysis
How Washington Can Salvage Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service
CTS is the most successful U.S. partner force in Iraq, which is why Iran-backed terrorist groups are trying to penetrate and corrupt it.
Dec 3, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
Muqawama under threat
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Downscaling Their Anti-Israel Actions
Iran-backed groups were already powering down for weeks before Israel delivered a stark warning on November 18, after which attacks dropped off almost entirely.
Nov 26, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Faces shown on Nov 6 IRI claim video of drone strike on Jordan Valley
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia List of U.S. “Greatest Hits” Gives Insight Into Attack Cell Structure
A poster of thirty-six militia “martyrs” provides useful data about who was killed by U.S. forces at specific times and places.
Nov 26, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Boat from SAD Nov 19, 2024 drone launch vs Israel
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Unveil SAD Aircraft Carrier
Saraya Awliya al-Dam launched a Shahed drone from a small boat in an apparent effort to draw attention by demonstrating a rudimentary new capability.
Nov 19, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
MIBH
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Anti-Israel Attacks by Iraq-Based Group with Implied Saudi Membership
A group with a Saudi-linked name has claimed six attacks on Israel, but they were probably launched from Iraq using Kataib Hezbollah and/or Houthi drone teams.
Nov 19, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight

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Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Featured experts

Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt is the Kahn Senior Fellow and director of The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program.
Michael Knights
Michael Knights
Michael Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and cofounder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias.
Bilal Wahab
Bilal Wahab
Bilal Wahab was the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.
Elizabeth Dent - source: The Washington Institute
Elizabeth Dent
Elizabeth Dent is a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where she focuses on U.S. foreign and defense policy toward the Gulf states, Iraq, and Syria.
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