Iraq

There is no muting Iraq, so the best way to get the troubled country on the path to stability is through high-level engagement on electoral transparency, sectarian reconciliation, arms transfers to Syria, oil revenue sharing, and other key issues.

This two-part PolicyWatch assesses how ISIS has gained a foothold in Syria by learning from past jihadist mistakes in Iraq. Part I discusses the group's recent successes; Part II discusses jihadist mistakes in other countries and whether ISIS is repeating them. In August, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham

Although Washington can help boost the capabilities of Iraq's counterterrorism forces, Baghdad cannot kill its way out of the current security crisis, so sectarian reconciliation remains a priority.

Through professional military education, exchange-officer programs, and U.S.-based exercises, Washington can gain long-term influence with partner militaries throughout the Middle East and North Africa at modest cost.

The May 16 summit provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation on Iraq, Syria, Israel, and Iran.

Washington should work with Ankara, the Syrian opposition, and Baghdad to ensure that new PKK peace talks alleviate their mutual concerns about Syria's future and the Kurdish question.

On the tenth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the New York Times convened an online panel of experts to discuss whether the war was worth the cost in light of continued violence and political problems. The following contribution was made by Michael Knights, a Boston-based Lafer fellow with

In response to Iraq's troubling new budget, Washington should pressure Baghdad to leave the KRG's monthly funding intact and increase the allocation for oil cost recovery.

Washington Institute fellow Michael Knights contributed a chapter to the multiauthor volume Conducting Terrorism Field Research: A Guide (ed. Adam Dolnik), a detailed and practically oriented handbook on the challenges of conducting terrorist fieldwork. The book offers a collection of articles from experts representing different risk groups, disciplines, methodological approaches