Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

Ashab al-Kahf Seeks Recruitment Gains from Hints of Violent Operations

The group has been posting more theatrical messages to suggest it is a real armed "resistance" movement, but without any evidence of actual kinetic operations.

May 29, 2023

◆

Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Supporters of Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gather during a sit-in, inside the parliament building in Baghdad - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

What Are Sadr’s Plans for the Elections in Iraq?

Although the Sadrist Movement withdrew from politics, participating in the upcoming provincial elections would provide them with critical momentum that they don't want to miss out on.

May 24, 2023

◆

Feyzullah Tuna Aygün

Brief Analysis

Kataib Hezbollah’s Escalating Feud with the Iraqi Security Forces

The leading Iran-backed militia is increasingly picking territorial fights with military forces controlled by Baghdad.

May 19, 2023

◆

Amir al-Kaabi
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Ashab al-Kahf Claims Six-Year-Old Unsolved Murder of U.S. Soldier

The group stopped hinting and actually took credit for the 2017 murder of U.S. soldier Alexander Missildine, who was then supporting Iraqi combat operations to liberate territory from the Islamic State.

May 18, 2023

◆

Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Communications and Media Commission

After falling under the control of “resistance”-linked board members, this key Iraqi media institution began a widespread crackdown on freedom of expression.

May 15, 2023

◆

Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

CMC March 16, 2023 draft regulation of digits; media content in Iraq

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Iraqi CMC Draft Regulation on Digital Content in Iraq

English translation of the March 16, 2023, draft regulation on digital content by the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission.

May 15, 2023

◆

Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Fikra Forum

Roots of the Rift between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan's PUK

The tensions between Turkey and the PUK are not new, though recent actions by both sides have exacerbated the situation despite shared economic interests.

Apr 28, 2023

◆

Mehmet Alaca

Fikra Forum

Sadr’s Withdrawal and the New Splinter Group of Ashab al-Qadiya

By suspending the Sadrist Movements activities, Sadr hopes to prevent the growth of a new Mahdist splinter group that threatens his religious and political credibility.

Apr 28, 2023

◆

Haider al-Musawi

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Militia-Russia Love Affair: April 2023 Update

Iraqi militia officials are still regularly praising Putin's invasion of Ukraine and even conferring honorary Shia Muslim status on Russian officials.

Apr 26, 2023

◆

Amir al-Kaabi

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Akram Kaabi Feted in Quds Day Communiques

In an ungrudging division of labor, senior militia figure Akram Kaabi is being built up by other factions as the main anti-U.S. "resistance" leader in Iraq.

Apr 26, 2023

◆

Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Ashab al-Kahf Threatens U.S. Helicopters

In its latest threats to U.S. aviation, the oldest militia facade group in Iraq made an interesting callback to a deadly 2006 shootdown of a British helicopter.

Apr 25, 2023

◆

Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Articles & Testimony

Twenty Years After the War, Iraq Needs U.S. Support

Much like the Iraqi people are doing, the United States should turn the page on history, engaging on ideas that foster prosperity and enable the relationship’s long-term success.

Apr 19, 2023

◆

Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Israel May Lose Oil Access in Baghdad-Kurdish Deal

Years of quiet and fairly lucrative oil trading between the Kurds and Israel are now being threatened by messy legal disputes involving Baghdad and Turkey.

Apr 13, 2023

◆

Simon Henderson
Bilal Wahab
Henry Rome

Video

Brief Analysis

Twenty Years After Saddam: The Future of the U.S.-Iraq Relationship

A Conversation with David Petraeus

A former coalition commander joins Washington Institute experts to discuss the war’s legacy, the country’s current challenges, and how U.S. policy should evolve in response.

Apr 10, 2023

◆

David Petraeus
Bilal Wahab
Michael Knights
Anna Borshchevskaya

Photo of an oil facility in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Fikra Forum

KRG Oil and the Slipping Dream of Financial Independence

Following the ICC's decision, the KRG has limited options in its fight for financial independence from Baghdad.

Apr 6, 2023

◆

Nawras Jaff

Articles & Testimony

The Rise and Fall of Kurdish Power in Iraq

Despite thirty years of landmark achievements, the KRG’s endless quest for economic independence has only entrenched its internal divisions and kleptocracy while shifting its dependency—from Iraq to Turkey, and from foreign aid to oil revenues.

Spring 2023

◆

Bilal Wahab

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militias Try to Conceal Iraqi Role in Lethal Strike on American Base

Top "resistance" groups sought to avoid embarrassing the Sudani government, but at least one propaganda channel gave away Iraqi involvement.

Apr 3, 2023

◆

Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Liwa al-Ghaliboun (Brigade of the Victors)

Liwa al-Ghaliboun is an Iraqi cell that is directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and has undertaken proxy attacks on U.S. personnel in Syria.

Apr 3, 2023

◆

Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Brief Analysis

The Urgent U.S. Role in Restarting Iraq-Turkey Oil Exports

A pipeline arbitration ruling has imperiled a recent Baghdad-Kurdistan breakthrough, but this roadblock can be removed if the United States acts urgently to disrupt spoilers and help constructive players.

Mar 31, 2023

◆

Michael Knights

Families of Islamic State fighters in Syria - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Reintegration of Foreign Terrorist Fighter Families: A Framework of Best Practices for the U.S.

An in-depth report that draws on case study investigations, scholarly analyses, and interviews with practitioners and stakeholders to propose a new framework for reintegrating the families of foreign fighters who supported the Islamic State.

Mar 2023

◆

Devorah Margolin

Supported by the

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.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

Featured experts

Michael Eisenstadt

Michael Eisenstadt is the Kahn Fellow and director of The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program.

Michael Knights

Michael Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow of The Washington Institute, specializing in the military and security affairs of Iraq, Iran, and the Persian Gulf states. He is a co-founder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

Bilal Wahab

Bilal Wahab is the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Policy Analysis on Iraq

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts