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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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 Ali Khamenei and Muqtada al-Sadr
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Why did the Sadrists Withdraw from the Iraqi Political Process?
The current stalemate in Iraq may lead to a complete collapse of its political institutions and prompt the international community to intervene if domestic political actors fail.
Jun 23, 2022
◆
  • Mohanad Faris
Brigade 30
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Hashd al-Shabak (30th PMF Brigade)
This local auxiliary unit plays an important role in consolidating Iranian and proxy influence in Iraq's strategic Nineveh Plains region.
Jun 22, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Video
Brief Analysis
The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq (Part 2)
In the second of three discussions marking the thirty-year anniversary of the KRG, experts spotlight the impressive U.S.-Kurdish legacy along with current challenges facing the partnership.
Jun 9, 2022
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  • Jennifer Gavito
  • Qubad Talabani
  • Bilal Wahab
◆ The KRG Turns Thirty
Ahrar Sinjar
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Ahrar Sinjar
This facade group is used to brand "resistance" attacks on Turkish targets and purportedly link the strikes to Yezidi grievances toward Turkey.
Jun 8, 2022
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  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Alex Almeida
  • Anwar al-Zamani
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Ahrar Sinjar drone image
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Ahrar Sinjar: Militia Employment of the Yazidi Community
Ahrar Sinjar is a worrisome example of Iran-backed militias using minorities to undertake cross-border rocket attacks and build terrorist cells in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
May 26, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Alex Almeida
  • Anwar al-Zamani
◆ Militia Spotlight
Video
Brief Analysis
The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq
On the anniversary of the Kurdish region’s first election, three experts take stock of the bilateral relationship and internal political and economic challenges.
May 23, 2022
◆
  • Bilal Wahab
  • Amberin Zaman
  • Vance Serchuk
◆ The KRG Turns Thirty
Shaajab News logo
Maps & Graphics
Profile: Shaajab News
Shajaab News used a moment of disruption at Sabereen News to establish itself as a Sabereen-wannabe and amplifier of that channel's content and style.
May 18, 2022
◆
  • May Riad
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Articles & Testimony
Don’t Let Over-the-Horizon Counterterrorism Eliminate the Premier Security Force Assistance Product: Partner Special Operations Forces
From Iraq and Afghanistan to Somalia and Ukraine, closely mentoring special operators has been far more impactful than building up conventional forces, but this approach requires hands-on American involvement.
May 18, 2022
◆
  • Ido Levy
A Turkish Bayraktor UAV on display at an airshow - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Muqawama's Duel with Turkey
Turkish counterstrikes may have instilled caution in militia rocketeers, suggesting more attacks may come against U.S. and Kurdish targets instead.
May 17, 2022
◆
  • Alex Almeida
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Arab Approval of UAE, Bahrain Peace with Israel
Video
Brief Analysis
New Arab Polls on Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and China: Analysis and Implications
Three public opinion experts discuss what March and April surveys in key states reveal about local attitudes toward U.S. policy.
May 3, 2022
◆
  • David Pollock
  • Catherine Cleveland
  • Munqith Dagher
Tahira
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 2): Attributing Attacks to Militia Platforms
Sabereen News has seemingly broadened its capabilities to include simple hacking tactics like DDoS attacks, and it might quickly proceed to more complex exploits.
Apr 25, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Tahira
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 1): Chronology of Recent Attacks
Sabereen News appears to have added cyberattacks to its normal activities of spreading militia propaganda and disinformation, claiming operations against Israeli, Turkish, and Saudi targets.
Apr 25, 2022
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sabereen sistani
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sabereen's Suspension (Part 2): Causes and Consequences
The network's hiatus may have been ordered in response to its recent lean toward Russia, or perhaps its role in enabling a controversial arson attack on a political office.
Apr 11, 2022
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Al-Maymun
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sabereen's Suspension (Part 1): Signs of Dissent and Noncompliance
The network was closed down almost entirely from March 28 to April 8, albeit with one apparent effort by rebellious members to refuse the suspension and blame Iran.
Apr 11, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Rocket crater, Omar oilfield in Syria, April 6, 2022
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Spring Awakening: A New Wave of Militia Strikes or Just a Blip?
Militia groups appear to be increasingly exercising their different kinetic capabilities in Iraq and Syria, but why now?
Apr 8, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Articles & Testimony
Kurdish Infighting Could Undermine a Sovereign Iraqi Government
Shortsighted squabbles between the KDP and PUK may soon wind up sending the country back to elections—and the threat of Iranian political domination.
Apr 5, 2022
◆
  • David Schenker
Militia Russian propaganda
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
From Russia With Love? Sabereen's Ukraine Coverage
Alongside an apparent technical uplift, the militia network's coverage of the crisis has gone far beyond that of even the most pro-Russian outlets in Iraq.
Mar 24, 2022
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Brief Analysis
The Baghdad-Kurdistan Energy Arena: Policy Opportunities
Washington has many good options for avoiding a Kurdish economic meltdown and turning Iraq’s internal energy dispute into a net win for all players, but it must pursue them quickly.
Mar 22, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights
Nujaba clip
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Nujaba's Regime Change Threat to the Kurdistan Democratic Party
With its first Kurdish-language video, the militia has upped the stakes by hinting at regime change in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Mar 21, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
An Iranian Fateh-110 mobile missile launcher on parade
Brief Analysis
Iran’s Cross-Border Strikes: A Pattern in Search of a Policy
The latest strike on Iraq points to a brazen, illegal, and dangerous strategy of exercising leverage via missile and drone attacks—a practice that has gone unchecked for too long.
Mar 15, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights

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Featured experts

Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt is the Kahn 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 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
Bilal Wahab is the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner fellow at The Washington Institute.
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