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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Brief Analysis
Iranian Website Seizures: Avoiding a Blanket Approach
Tehran is increasingly relying on its vast regional propaganda machine to pursue its anti-American objectives, but policymakers need to be simultaneously more precise and more comprehensive in how they counter it.
Jun 29, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
Brief Analysis
Deterring Militias in Iraq: What Works and What Doesn’t
Striking back one time in twelve will not stop Iranian proxy attacks, so Washington must consider more consistent and painful retaliation in order to protect Americans in the Middle East.
Jun 28, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Figure 1: Rocket and drone attacks on coalition "points of presence".
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraq’s Drone and Rocket Epidemic, By the Numbers
Attacks on coalition points of presence are increasing in quantity and quality, making U.S. fatalities increasingly likely unless deterrence is restored.
Jun 27, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Accidental Allies cover
In-Depth Reports
Accidental Allies:
The US–Syrian Democratic Forces Partnership Against the Islamic State
To some, America's partnership with the SDF exemplified an economy-of-force effort that minimized U.S. casualties and wrested control of northeast Syria from the Islamic State. To others, it was a cautionary tale about a U.S. military hoodwinked into working with a terrorist group.
Jun 22, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Wladimir van Wilgenburg
PMF
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Iraqi Muqawama Are Feeling Isolated and Threatened
The brazen approach taken by "resistance" factions in recent weeks was designed to undermine the government, but it is now coming back to hurt them.
Jun 19, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Iraq protestors 2019
In-Depth Reports
Promoting Sovereignty and Accountability in Iraq:
Guidelines for the Biden Administration
The complexity of Iraq’s challenges might prompt some U.S. officials to balk, but a constructive policy can help advance both Iraqi and American interests in areas ranging from counterterrorism to economic development.
Jun 17, 2021
◆
  • Bilal Wahab
◆ Transition 2021
Figure 1: Qais al-Khazali’s interview with iNEWS TV, June 1, 2021
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Qais al-Khazali's Show of Independence
The militia leader is positioning himself as Iran's equal and close partner, aspiring to comparisons with Hassan Nasrallah and Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
Jun 14, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
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
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

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