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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Iraq's Federal Supreme Court building
Brief Analysis
Iraq’s Judiciary Weak Link
Regardless of the executive branch’s willingness to confront militia abuses, true rule of law cannot take hold unless judges are protected from intimidation and corruption.
Jun 10, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Qais in military attire
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Qais al-Khazali Doubles Down on His Muqawama Membership
The militia leader has not hesitated to provide court-quality evidence that he and his movement Asaib Ahl al-Haq are actively involved in attacks on U.S. forces.
Jun 7, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Brief Analysis
The Evolution of Iran’s Qods Force Since 1979
By absorbing rival organizations and favoring commanders who lack connections to other regime power centers, the IRGC has used the Qods Force to steadily centralize and monopolize control over the country’s foreign operations.
Jun 3, 2021
◆
  • Ali Alfoneh
Etejah
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Threats Against Iraq's Government Aired on al-Etejah TV
Kataib Hezbollah's television outlet is still airing false claims about the release of Qasim Muslih, as well as coup threats that draw comparisons to Yemen's Houthi takeover.
Jun 1, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
President Donald Trump speaks about Syria
Articles & Testimony
The Inside Story of How Trump ‘Kept the Oil’ in Syria and Lost
The ambitious plan would have seen Delta Crescent, a tiny Delaware company, try to bring peace and stability to the war-ravaged northeast, but local corruption, a lack of U.S. commitment, and other complications doomed the idea.
May 31, 2021
◆
  • Kenneth R. Rosen
QM affair
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Fake News Surrounding Qasim Muslih’s Arrest (Part 2): Release Claims
Militias made a concerted effort to create the false impression that their colleague had been released immediately, and the claim was soon echoed by major global media outlets.
May 28, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
QM affair
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Fake News Surrounding Qasim Muslih’s Arrest (Part 1): International Zone Claims
The first wave of post-arrest deception operations tried to give the false impression that militias controlled the Baghdad zone containing the prime minister's residence, the U.S. embassy, and other sensitive sites.
May 28, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
  • Alex Almeida
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
An Iraqi member of a Shia PMF militia
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Try, and Fail, to Intimidate the Government
Baghdad effectively enforced the rule of law by detaining a senior militia figure, though it still needs to arrest other murder suspects and show the public that October’s election will be safe.
May 27, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Muqawama Tansiqiya
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
When the Tansiqiya Speaks in AAH's Absence
The May 20 Gaza protest in Baghdad saw the Tansiqiya speak in the notable absence of any Asaib Ahl al-Haq members, and the event was conspicuously ignored by AAH channels.
May 24, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Anti US
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Tansiqiya Signals Escalation Versus the United States
The Iraqi militia coordination committee is laying out its political and legal arguments for the removal of U.S. forces.
May 24, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Gaza Soleimani
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Iraqi Militias Are Exploiting the Gaza Conflict
Hamas's example could embolden Iraqi factions to accelerate attacks on U.S. facilities at home, as well as seek some reflected glory by claiming Syria-based attacks against Israelis.
May 16, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
KH Drone
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Leads Drone Warfare Inside Iraq
The group is employing sophisticated drone capabilities against U.S. airbases in Iraq, mirroring tactics and systems used in Yemen.
May 14, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Kawader
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Distinguishing Kawader Hezbollah al-Qudama and Kataib Hezbollah
Nouri al-Maliki is gathering various Iraqi resistance figures who fought both Saddam and the coalition, but this marginal "old timer" party is not the same as Kataib Hezbollah, which has yet to show its hand in parliamentary politics.
May 6, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
AA
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Ahd Allah Islamic Movement
Ahd Allah Islamic Movement is a social and cultural movement built around Kataib Hezbollah ideologue Hashem al-Haidari.
May 5, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Brief Analysis
Rehabilitating Assad: The Arab League Embraces a Pariah
Parochial interests and war fatigue are driving many member states to support premature elections and normalization with Damascus, but this approach will only consolidate Assad’s control and help him evade accountability for war crimes.
May 4, 2021
◆
  • David Schenker
KSS flag
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada
A U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization that emerged from Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah, works directly with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and has a transnational focus on the shared regional agenda of Iran's "axis of resistance."
May 3, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Natanz
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Iran Employed Iraq's Muqawama in Its Post-Natanz Response
Militias falsely claimed attacks against Israeli and U.S. targets in retaliation for the nuclear incident, underlining how Tehran directs and coordinates each proxy's kinetic and information operations in a centralized manner.
May 3, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
TSS
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Sharia Youth Gathering
The Sharia Youth Gathering is an umbrella movement of social service, cultural, sports, and scouting organizations that is effectively controlled by Kataib Hezbollah through a cadre of linked commanders.
Apr 29, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Scout
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Imam Hussein Scout Association
The Imam Hussein Scout Association is Kataib Hezbollah’s youth organization and an affiliate of Lebanese Hezbollah's Kishaf al-Imam al-Mahdi youth movement.
Apr 29, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Kaabi speech
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba
Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba proved its "axis of resistance" credentials in Syria, but its role in terrorism and repression in Iraq is more enigmatic.
Apr 27, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

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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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