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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Almustafa uni
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Al-Mustafa International University-Iraq
Far from a normal educational institution, al-Mustafa is the Iraqi branch of a U.S.-sanctioned Iranian entity that seeks to groom the next generation of Iraqi clerics, missionaries, pro-Iran political representatives, and pro-Iran militia members.
Aug 5, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Turkman hashd
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia Schisms: The Dissolution of the PMF Northern Axis
The fall (for now) of a senior Turkmen protege of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis is a reminder that fortunes, favor, and factions are always shifting within the Iran-backed "resistance" scene.
Aug 5, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Alex Almeida
◆ Militia Spotlight
Yezidi women and children at a refugee camp in Iraq - source: Reuters
Video
Brief Analysis
Countering the Islamic State's Gendered Violence and Minority Persecution
To mark the tenth anniversary of the genocide against the Yezidi people, three experts discuss the Islamic State’s minority atrocities, its systematic use of gendered violence, and the related challenges of repatriation.
Aug 1, 2024
◆
  • Gina Vale
  • Devorah Margolin
  • Pari Ibrahim
◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series
Families of Islamic State fighters in Syria - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
In the Shadow of the Caliphate: A Decade of Islamic State Gendered Violence
To hold the group accountable for its victimization of women and children and ongoing fragmentation of communities in Iraq, Syria, and beyond, countries need to make better use of international law and repatriation strategies.
Jul 31, 2024
◆
  • Devorah Margolin
  • Gina Vale
Oil platform, Shatt al-Arab, Iraq
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Oil: A Blessing for Politicians and a Curse for the People of Basra
The deterioration of public health in oil extraction cities requires tangible actions to end the suffering of the affected people by providing specialized treatment centers funded by the social benefits from petroleum profits.
Jul 29, 2024
◆
  • Azhar Al-Rubaie
German counterterror police - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Islamic State’s External Operations Are More Than Just ISKP
Although the recent focus on ISKP plots emanating from Afghanistan is understandable, other IS “provinces” have been accelerating and coordinating their external operations as well.
Jul 26, 2024
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
President of the Federal Supreme Court Jassim Abboud
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Iraqi Federal Supreme Court
Since 2022, the court has become a channel for Iran-backed militias and terrorist groups to secure “made to order” legal rulings that can have decisive political “lawfare” effects in their favor.
Jul 24, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Abna M
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Abna al-Muhandis
A student recruitment and indoctrination group tied to a PMF directorate, with a name that eulogizes a slain U.S.-designated terrorist.
Jul 19, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Akram al-Kaabi and a Shahed-101 drone, July 17, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Akram Kaabi Shown Pretending to Assemble a Drone Fired at Israel
The Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba leader released a corny video for Ashura in which he pretended to help with a drone attack on Israel.
Jul 17, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Hamid al-Yassiri on Al-Rabea TV attacking Khazali in July 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Atabat Leader from al-Muthanna Takes on Iran-Backed Militia Interests
The commander of Iraq's influential "shrine militias" signaled that the religious establishment is still willing to push back against the Coordination Framework and Tehran's other "resistance" proxies.
Jul 16, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Iraqi medical students at Basra University
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Injecting New Blood into Militias: The Gradual Takeover of Iraqi Higher Education by the Popular Mobilization Forces
By firmly resisting the takeover of higher education by pro-Iran faculty and students, the United States can prevent the militias from recruiting the next generation of fighters.
Jul 12, 2024
◆
  • Jawad Mahdi
Migrant boats in the Mediterranean Sea
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Addressing the Inequality and Despair Driving Kurdish Migration to Europe
Only by working to address internal issues can the KRI hope to stem the tide of both irregular migration and the loss of its most valuable human capital.
Jul 1, 2024
◆
  • Ruwayda Mustafah
Faiq Zaydan meets Ebrahim Raisi, 2023
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Four U.S.-Designated Terrorist Groups Rush to Support Judge Faeq Zaidan
Iran-backed militias were quick to defend the judge after he was accused of being a tool for Iranian influence.
Jul 1, 2024
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Qais
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Nujaba and AAH Argue Over Whether Asaib Is Still a Resistance Player
Asaib Ahl al-Haq cannot seem to decide whether it has detached from anti-U.S. militancy or not, causing other militias to tie themselves in rhetorical knots over the group's public credentials.
Jul 1, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
SAD image
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Saraya Awliya al-Dam Finds New Mission in Israel Attacks
The brand appears to have been reactivated by its parent organization, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, to claim certain attacks on Israel during the Gaza war.
Jun 27, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Moqtada Sadr in Tehran, 2019
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Sadr’s Rebranded Political Movement: The Old, the New, and a Reality Check
Given the complicated baggage that Sadr brings into Iraq’s political game, his re-entry into formal politics after a years-long hiatus will likely destabilize the internal Shia political landscape.
Jun 24, 2024
◆
  • Mohammed Salih
Goizha mountain and Sulaymaniyah
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Politics of Real Estate in the Kurdish Region of Iraq
With ruling parties, companies, and mainstream media aligned against them, activists and environmentalists face a formidable challenge in curbing the exploitation of nature and corporate greed.
Jun 20, 2024
◆
  • Renwar Najm
HaH and Soleimani1
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militia Propagandist Promotes Qalibaf for Iranian President
Iraqi media official and Kataib Hezbollah member Hamid al-Husseini underlined his growing importance in the Iran threat network by issuing the endorsement—possibly as a surrogate for the IRGC-Qods Force.
Jun 18, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Houthi claims
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Groups and Yemen's Houthis Claim More Joint Attacks on Israel
The Iraqi "resistance" and their Iran-backed fellow travelers in Yemen have added a new example of jointly branded attacks to their growing list of collaborative claims.
Jun 17, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Brief Analysis
A New Era in Iraq’s Relations with the West?
Amid growing pressure to dissolve the coalition and withdraw troops, the United States and its partners should continue pursuing good relations with Baghdad—but this time with a lighter footprint and increased regional cooperation.
Jun 17, 2024
◆
  • Selin Uysal
  • Devorah Margolin

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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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