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TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية Fikra Forum

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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
In Iraq, the Kurds Are Their Own Worst Enemy
Kurds were once referred to as kingmakers, a pillar of stability, and the most powerful force in the fight against ISIS. Now, the Kurdish Region of Iraq is crippled by ferocious partisanships, tribal politics, and internal splits.
Jun 17, 2023
◆
  • Yerevan Saeed
AK escalation
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Three New Facade Groups Launched in Iraq
Efforts are being made to create new brands for anti-American "resistance" on Iraqi soil, even as politically connected militias try to distance themselves from kinetic attacks on U.S. targets.
Jun 12, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Salman Rushdie, attacker Hadi Matar, cell phone, Qasem Soleimani
Maps & Graphics
In-Depth Reports
Is Iran Looking to Inspire Shia Homegrown Violent Extremist Attacks?
Amid a social media space rife with inflammatory content, two attacks last year showcased the willingness of Iran-inspired perpetrators to act.
Jun 12, 2023
◆
  • Moustafa Ayad
  • Matthew Levitt
Qazi Muhammed salutes at the founding of the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in 1946 - source: Wikimedia Commons
Articles & Testimony
Russia and the Kurds: A Soft-Power Tool for the Kremlin?
An in-depth look at how Russian leaders have played the Kurdish card over the past two centuries, including recent engagement in Syria and Iraq.
Summer 2023
◆
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
PMF troops in Iraq
Articles & Testimony
Washington Keeps a Watchful Eye as the PMF Consolidates Its Dominance in Iraq
The Biden administration’s low-key, patient approach with Prime Minister Sudani has produced some positive results, but the lesson of Hezbollah and the Houthis is that Iranian proxies tend to cement their grip over a state when left unchecked.
Jun 8, 2023
◆
  • David Schenker
A woman at the Al-Hawl (or Al-Hol) detention camp in Syria - source: Reuters
Video
Brief Analysis
What to Do With Families of Islamic State Foreign Fighters
Backed by hard data, on-the-ground observations, and best practices, three experts explore the thorny question of repatriating the children and spouses of imprisoned jihadists.
Jun 5, 2023
◆
  • Martyn Warr
  • Austin Doctor
  • Devorah Margolin
◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series
Iraq's Federal Supreme Court building
Articles & Testimony
Iraq Is Quietly Falling Apart
While Washington focuses on great power competition, Iran’s proxies have seized power in Baghdad and are gutting the state.
Jun 5, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
Muhandis Company Logo tight
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Arabic Original of Muhandis General Company Articles of Incorporation
PDF copy of the Arabic original of the February 26, 2023, articles of incorporation of the Muhandis General Company for Construction, Engineering and Mechanical, Agricultural and Industrial Contracting (hereafter shortened to Muhandis General Company).
Jun 5, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Muhandis General Company articles of incorpration front page
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Certificate of Incorporation of the Muhandis General Company
A translation of the articles of incorporation for a major IRGC-like firm run by Iraq's "resistance" militias.
Jun 3, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Fayyad says that PMF is 204k
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Extraordinary Popular Mobilization Force Expansion, by the Numbers
The PMF is growing fast by every metric, from budget to authorized manpower to training and economic programs, though militia leaders seem wary of highlighting this expansion.
Jun 3, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
AK cover
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Ashab al-Kahf Seeks Recruitment Gains from Hints of Violent Operations
The group has been posting more theatrical messages to suggest it is a real armed "resistance" movement, but without any evidence of actual kinetic operations.
May 29, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Supporters of Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gather during a sit-in, inside the parliament building in Baghdad - source: Reuters
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
What Are Sadr’s Plans for the Elections in Iraq?
Although the Sadrist Movement withdrew from politics, participating in the upcoming provincial elections would provide them with critical momentum that they don't want to miss out on.
May 24, 2023
◆
  • Feyzullah Tuna Aygün
Federal Police wounded at Speicher
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah’s Escalating Feud with the Iraqi Security Forces
The leading Iran-backed militia is increasingly picking territorial fights with military forces controlled by Baghdad.
May 19, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Alex
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Ashab al-Kahf Claims Six-Year-Old Unsolved Murder of U.S. Soldier
The group stopped hinting and actually took credit for the 2017 murder of U.S. soldier Alexander Missildine, who was then supporting Iraqi combat operations to liberate territory from the Islamic State.
May 18, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
CMC van
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Communications and Media Commission
After falling under the control of “resistance”-linked board members, this key Iraqi media institution began a widespread crackdown on freedom of expression. Its head commissioner is a member of U.S.-designated terrorist group Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
May 15, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
CMC March 16, 2023 draft regulation of digits; media content in Iraq
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi CMC Draft Regulation on Digital Content in Iraq
English translation of the March 16, 2023, draft regulation on digital content by the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission.
May 15, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Bafel Talabani
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Roots of the Rift between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan's PUK
The tensions between Turkey and the PUK are not new, though recent actions by both sides have exacerbated the situation despite shared economic interests.
Apr 28, 2023
◆
  • Mehmet Alaca
Kufa Mosque
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Sadr’s Withdrawal and the New Splinter Group of Ashab al-Qadiya
By suspending the Sadrist Movements activities, Sadr hopes to prevent the growth of a new Mahdist splinter group that threatens his religious and political credibility.
Apr 28, 2023
◆
  • Haider al-Musawi
Sabereen Wagner
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Militia-Russia Love Affair: April 2023 Update
Iraqi militia officials are still regularly praising Putin's invasion of Ukraine and even conferring honorary Shia Muslim status on Russian officials.
Apr 26, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Quds Day speech
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Akram Kaabi Feted in Quds Day Communiques
In an ungrudging division of labor, senior militia figure Akram Kaabi is being built up by other factions as the main anti-U.S. "resistance" leader in Iraq.
Apr 26, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight

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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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