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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Articles & Testimony
Iraqi Security the Day After Mosul
Despite much progress on the ground against the Islamic State, missteps by the Iraqi government, political parties, and security forces could breathe new life into the group.
Jul 4, 2016
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  • Michael Knights
Articles & Testimony
As the ISIS Tide Recedes
The beginning of the end of ISIS's dominance over the Sunni Arab region of Iraq is at hand, following the Iraqi security forces' clearance of ISIS from most of Fallujah, the first Iraqi city to fall to the terrorist group. Only one major Iraqi city remains in ISIS' hands: Mosul
Jun 29, 2016
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  • James Jeffrey
Articles & Testimony
Prove Islamic State a False Prophet
Washington needs to destroy the group's image and achievements, and give Sunnis reason to help in that effort.
Jun 21, 2016
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  • Dennis Ross
Brief Analysis
The Islamic State's Views on Homosexuality
The group's public executions of gay men are part of a deliberate moral policing campaign, one aimed at showing supporters and enemies alike that it means to enforce its narrow, atavistic view of Islamic law wherever it can.
Jun 14, 2016
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
  • Jacob Olidort
In-Depth Reports
Iraq's Imperiled Democracy
This essay, the sixth in a series exploring prospects for political reform throughout the Middle East, analyzes the unique perils facing democratic governance in Iraq, particularly the dangerous Islamist alternatives masquerading under the guise of theocracy.
Jun 1, 2016
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  • Nathaniel Rabkin
Articles & Testimony
A New Formula in the Battle for Fallujah
The campaign is Iraq's latest attempt to push militia and coalition forces into a single battlespace, and lessons from past efforts have seemingly improved their tactics.
May 25, 2016
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  • Michael Knights
Video
Salafism and the Islamic State: A Video Introduction
The Islamic State (IS or ISIS) is often identified as the world’s leading proponent of Salafism, or fundamentalist Sunni Islam. The IS-affiliated perpetrators of the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks had close ties with local Salafist groups. In their textbooks, the Islamic State promises to revive a Salafi understanding of Islam
May 23, 2016
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  • Jacob Olidort
Articles & Testimony
The Liberation of Fallujah, the Fall of Baghdad
Securing the Iraqi capital won’t be easy, but keeping Baghdad safe from the Islamic State is the only way to ensure it doesn’t fall to Shiite militias.
May 23, 2016
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  • Michael Knights
Articles & Testimony
How to Prevent Sectarian Backlash from Baghdad Bombings
Continued bombings could bring a devastating flood of sectarian attacks to Baghdad and delay the battle for Mosul, so the coalition should help Iraqis address the capital's longstanding vulnerability.
May 17, 2016
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  • Sajad Jiyad
  • Michael Knights
In-Depth Reports
U.S. Military Engagement in the Broader Middle East
Reflecting broad foreign policy themes dating to World War I, U.S. grand strategy in the Middle East since the Cold War has focused on establishing and managing a global security system to contain and deter outside threats. Given Eurasia's demographic and economic/technical strength, a dominant power or powers arising from
May 3, 2016
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  • James Jeffrey
  • Michael Eisenstadt
Articles & Testimony
Leave Root Causes Aside -- Destroy the ISIS 'State'
Of course it would be daunting to solve the conflicts the Islamic State feeds on, but that shouldn't be the mission in the first place.
Apr 29, 2016
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  • James Jeffrey
Video
Brief Analysis
Combating Genocide: Reassessing the Fight Against the Islamic State
While Washington and its coalition partners have begun to roll back some of the Islamic State's territorial gains, what more can be done to defeat the group and, until then, protect civilians?
Apr 7, 2016
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  • Matthew Levitt
  • Naomi Kikoler
  • James Jeffrey
In-Depth Reports
Ascent of the PYD and the SDF
In this well-documented Research Note, Barak Barfi explores the evolution of the PYD -- the preeminent Kurdish faction in the Syrian conflict -- and its relationship to U.S. objectives.
Apr 7, 2016
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  • Barak Barfi
Articles & Testimony
Iraq: Are Shia Leaders Ready for Sectarian Healing?
Recent trips to Iraq indicate that the struggle against the Islamic State has rekindled the possibility of sectarian cooperation.
Apr 5, 2016
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  • Michael Knights
Articles & Testimony
The Next President's Choices on ISIS
From continuing the status quo to deploying limited ground brigades, the next administration will inherit a range of feasible options, but only some would serve U.S. interests, and all of them come with formidable postwar questions.
Apr 3, 2016
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  • James Jeffrey
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Repercussions of the Saudi-Iranian Conflict on North Africa
March 31, 2016 The Iranian Shura Council and Assembly of Experts elections in February have resulted in gains for moderate reformists in a peaceful political contest. The elections’ contrast to the region’s political turmoil brings to mind the ironic words of British Parliamentarian Jock Bruce-Gardyne. In 1966, the politician described
Mar 31, 2016
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  • Nouh El Harmouzi
Articles & Testimony
The Liberation of Mosul Has Begun
If the coalition-backed Iraqi and Kurdish governments make the right deals and send the right messages, the nascent campaign to retake the city could be very different from the military slogs in Tikrit and Ramadi.
Mar 30, 2016
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  • Michael Knights
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Abadi, Stuck Between Sadr and the Status Quo
In Iraq, the menace of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist Movement, has reared its head again, posing serious challenges to Prime Minister Abadi and his plans for government reform. For several months, Abadi’s efforts to fight corruption and replace incompetent ministers with technocrats have faced resistance
Mar 25, 2016
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  • Omar Al-Nidawi
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Gorran Leader Mustafa’s Hard Choices
Five months ago Nawshirwan Mustafa, general organizer of the Change Movement (Gorran) party in Kurdistan, left Iraq for London under the pretext of receiving medical treatment for chronic back pain. His extended stay has puzzled not only his rivals, but also his supporters. Silence over Mustafa’s condition, as well as
Mar 24, 2016
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  • Kamal Chomani
Brief Analysis
Establishing and Securing Safe Zones in Syria: Historical Lessons
Experience in Iraq, Bosnia, and Libya shows that safe-zone operations require unambiguous legal authorities, clear political and military guidance, robust air and ground forces, and a viable plan for displaced persons and refugees.
Mar 17, 2016
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  • Lt Col John R. Barnett
  • Michael Eisenstadt

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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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