Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

The Formation of Iraq’s New Government Is a Major Victory for Iran and Its Allies

Although framed as a government of solidarity between Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish factions, the Sudani government in Iraq gives Iran a significant arena in which to wield its influence.

Nov 8, 2022

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Nawzad Shukri

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militias Demonize USAID After U.S. Citizen Gunned Down in Baghdad

Media outlets run by Iran-backed groups have justified the killing by claiming that the targeted civilian was a spy.

Nov 8, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the first regular session of the Council of Ministers in Baghdad in November 2022 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Buying Time in Baghdad? What to Expect from Sudani’s Government

The hostile and corrupt forces arrayed behind him might ease their anti-American activities just to reassert their power at home, so Washington should make the new government’s honeymoon a short one—and work around it if necessary to help the Iraqi people.

Nov 3, 2022

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Bilal Wahab

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militia Journalist to Head New Prime Minister's Communications Team

Rabee Nader has a long history of working with U.S.-designated terrorist groups Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, so appointing him could place Prime Minister Sudani's office at risk of potential sanctions.

Nov 3, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Fikra Forum

Minister Allocation in Iraq’s New Government

Although ministry positions in Iraq have long been used as bartering tools, the new government could make a huge difference by supporting key ministries with real solutions and competent appointees.

Oct 27, 2022

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Nawras Jaff

Fikra Forum

Long-Awaited Coalition of Civic Minds: Democratic Forces of Change

Combining a wide range of of political views and principles, the Democratic Forces of Change hope to provide the Iraqi people with an action-driven opposition platform.

Oct 26, 2022

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Ashleigh Whelan

Brief Analysis

Scoring Iraq’s New Government: Metrics for Preserving U.S. Interests

The protracted post-election process has been a step backward for Iraqi democracy, so Washington will need to closely monitor the new leadership’s actions and hold Baghdad to measurable benchmarks.

Oct 19, 2022

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Michael Knights

Fikra Forum

Forming a New Government in Iraq: Possible Scenarios

Although Iraq’s new government has ended the year-long deadlock, the path forward is still rife with obstacles.

Oct 18, 2022

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Munqith Dagher

Brief Analysis

The UN Resolution Against Russia’s Ukraine Annexations: How Did the Middle East Vote?

Most of the region supported the measure, with one nay vote, a pair of notable changes since the March resolution, and several strong statements in support of territorial integrity.

Oct 18, 2022

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militias Pivot Away from U.S. Targets, Toward Kurdistan and Turkish Bases

Attack metrics prove that Iran-backed groups currently see more profit in striking "near enemies" than American forces.

Oct 17, 2022

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Eric Feely

◆ Militia Spotlight

Fikra Forum

Iran’s Dilemma in Managing Shiite Conflicts in Iraq

Iran has recently adopted a more hands-off approach in Iraqi politics, hoping that the internal fractures will eventually work in their favor.

Oct 6, 2022

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Firas Elias

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militia Disinformation and the Zainab Isam al-Khazali Shooting

"Resistance" groups launched a coordinated and intentionally misleading anti-American media campaign to ease domestic pressure caused by the unrest in Iran.

Oct 5, 2022

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Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Iraqi Militia Group Makes Credible New Threat Against the Gulf States

The facade group in question tends to follow through on its warnings, so its latest rhetoric about using developments in Yemen as cause for new attacks should be taken seriously.

Oct 3, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

A woman at the Al-Hawl (or Al-Hol) detention camp in Syria - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Detention Facilities in Syria, Iraq Remain Vulnerable to Islamic State Attacks

An attempted suicide operation against al-Hawl camp highlights the ongoing risks posed by indefinite detention of foreigners associated with IS.

Sep 29, 2022

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Devorah Margolin

Brief Analysis

Iraq’s Constitutional Moment?

Although the country currently lacks the unity and rule of law needed to safely pursue a process as fraught as amending the constitution, there are several alternatives that could get it on the path to systemic reform.

Sep 27, 2022

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Safwan Al-Amin
Bilal Wahab

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

SDR Allocations in the Middle East: Helpful, but No Silver Bullet

Various governments have made good use of last year’s unprecedented IMF allocation, but the Ukraine war, ongoing debt issues, and other economic problems are a reminder that the region cannot sidestep deeper reforms indefinitely.

Sep 20, 2022

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Jonah Shrock

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Al-Warithuun

Al-Warithuun is a "resistance" brand with a recurring connection to kinetic operations that are directed by Iran's Qods Force but intended to be deniable.

Sep 13, 2022

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Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Fikra Forum

What’s Next for Iraq After al-Sadr’s Withdrawal from the Political Process?

Violent protests broke out after al-Sadr announced his withdrawal from Iraqi politics, but this is unlikely to be the end of al-Sadr's political maneuvering.

Sep 12, 2022

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Azhar Al-Rubaie

Brief Analysis

Removing All Militias From Baghdad’s International Zone

Iran-backed PMF units shot first in the latest showdown, so they should hardly be the ones left in charge of security in the government center.

Aug 31, 2022

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Michael Knights

Sadrist protestors, Republic Palace, Baghdad, August 29, 2022

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militias Show Message Discipline During Sadrist Clashes

Centralized direction was evident as "resistance" outlets carried out their (apparently successful) public relations campaign to claim the moral high ground.

Aug 30, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

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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 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.

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Policy Analysis on Iraq

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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