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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Syrian Arab tribal mitiias supported by Iran, 2023
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Understanding the IRGC's Past, Present, and Future Use of Syrian Tribal Militias
Iran's development of Arab tribal militias in eastern Syria will likely accelerate again, based on the model established in Aleppo and backed by new IRGC-funded social, economic, and administrative "wings."
Apr 30, 2024
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
◆ Militia Spotlight
Secretary of State Blinken meets Iraqi PM Sudani
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Navigating the US-Iraq Relationship: Toward Stability and Cooperation
Both sides have a role to play in developing an U.S.-Iraq relationship built on Sudani’s vision of "sustainable cooperation" and in addressing the actors that can limit this potential.
Apr 29, 2024
◆
  • Khairuldeen Makhzoomi
  • Minatullah Alobaidi
LGBT
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Coordination Framework Militias Pass New Anti-LGBTQ Legislation
Although they avoided embarrassing Prime Minister Sudani during his recent Washington visit, they passed abhorrent new legislation as soon as he was back home.
Apr 29, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Amir al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Oil tanker near Basra port, Iraq
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Addressing Human Resource and Development Concerns in Iraq’s Oil and Gas Sector
Many of the necessary reforms start with placing the institution in a competitive position internationally and allowing for decisions that maximize financial returns for the good of the Iraqi people, not individuals hoping to promote their own interests.
Apr 26, 2024
◆
  • Muhammed Abed Mazeel al-Aboudi
Articles & Testimony
Will Israel Temper Its War on Iran’s Regional Proxies?
Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and other militias in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq have yielded visible benefits at times, but future operations may elicit a direct Iranian response.
Apr 24, 2024
◆
  • David Schenker
Kharab al-Jir
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Hit Two U.S. Sites in Iraq and Syria
Iran-backed groups have adopted tight message discipline so far, not claiming either of the attacks in order to avoid U.S. retaliation while simultaneously warning Prime Minister Sudani to keep pushing for U.S. withdrawal.
Apr 22, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Alex Almeida
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Baqr's PMF ID card, February 7, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Is Part of Iraq’s PMF
The U.S.-designated terrorist group is the most significant player in the Popular Mobilization Forces, which is supposed to be under the command of Prime Minister Sudani—a fact that U.S. officials sometimes forget.
Apr 15, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in 2022 - source: Wikimedia Commons
Brief Analysis
What Biden and Sudani Need to Start the Next Chapter of U.S.-Iraq Relations
To move beyond the years-long focus on Iran and the Islamic State, both leaders must commit to actions that set the table for a mutually beneficial relationship and convince skeptical domestic constituencies.
Apr 11, 2024
◆
  • Dana Stroul
  • Bilal Wahab
Arqab
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Sabereen Highlight Anti-Israel Cruise Missile Strikes
IRI is making up for its inability to strike U.S. sites by making louder claims of more sophisticated attacks on Israel, and Sabereen News seems freer to amplify these claims.
Apr 11, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Turkey flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Turkey’s Anti-PKK Operation and “Development Road” in Iraq Are Two Sides of the Same Coin
Turkey's intertwining of its mega project and its anti-PKK operation improves the chances of success for both elements. But this interconnection can be a double-edged sword—if one element fails, it may potentially hinder the success of the other.
Apr 8, 2024
◆
  • İdris Okuducu
Abu Fadak
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi PMF Chief of Staff Commits to Fulfill Iranian Supreme Leader's Plans
Abu Fadak laid bare the limited extent to which his organization is under Prime Minister Sudani's sovereign control, instead identifying Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei as his commander-in-chief.
Apr 8, 2024
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Graffiti on a villa that was used as IS base, Sinjar old city
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Continuing Threat of ISIS in Iraq after the Withdrawal of the International Coalition
Without active and continuous deterrence, ISIS forces may look to take advantage of the deteriorating security and governance situation in areas formerly under their control.
Apr 4, 2024
◆
  • Omar Dhabian
PMF soldiers on tank
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Avoiding Iranian-Backed Iraqi Militias’ Political Takeover in the Shadow of a U.S. Withdrawal
Washington and allies should find ways to increase the cost to Iraqi politicians of normalizing the militias’ role and the subordination of the Iraqi state to Tehran’s rulers.
Apr 3, 2024
◆
  • Omar Al-Nidawi
Askari Jordan
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
New Options for Iraq's Axis of Resistance Players (Part 2): Opening the Jordan Front
With Nujaba seemingly leading on Israel strikes, Kataib Hezbollah is signaling its intended leadership of destabilizing activities in Jordan, an increasingly important base for U.S. forces.
Apr 3, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Shahed-101 drone
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
New Options for Iraq's Axis of Resistance Players (Part 1): Attacks on Israel
Nujaba is signaling that it was the key player in nearly twenty strikes on Israel after the "resistance" halted attacks on U.S. bases in February.
Apr 3, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Iraqi flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Federal Supreme Court’s Role in Iraq’s Eroding Democracy
Iraq is in real danger of losing its checks and balances and failing as a constitutional democracy due to the rapid collapse of a separation of powers.
Apr 1, 2024
◆
  • Hemin Hawrami
Flag of KRG
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
A House Divided: Can Kurdistan Preserve Its Autonomy?
The KRG’s autonomy hangs in the balance, caught in a pincer movement between internal political discord and a history of externally imposed limitations. The recent court rulings are merely the latest blow, further restricting the KRG’s ability to govern itself.
Mar 27, 2024
◆
  • Ruwayda Mustafah
KRG and Iraq flags, Erbil
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Obstacles and Options in Baghdad-Erbil Negotiations
By finding lasting solutions in coordination with both parties, relations can be mended and the gridlock and animosity that is crippling cooperation between the two parties can be put to an end.
Mar 25, 2024
◆
  • Fawzi al-Zubaidi
Hisham al-Hashemi poster held up by protestors
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hisham al-Hashimi’s Killer Escapes Justice
A Kataib Hezbollah hit man was acquitted of all charges despite convincing evidence that he murdered the famous Iraqi commentator and civil society activist.
Mar 22, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Screenshot of The Washington Institute's Islamic State interactive map
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
One Year of the Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map
The possibility of more terrorist attacks from Afghanistan, foreign fighter mobilizations in Africa, and dangerous ripple effects from U.S. military reshuffles in Iraq and Syria are among the many revealing data points and trends uncovered by this landmark interactive tool.
Mar 20, 2024
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
  • Ilana Winter

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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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