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TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية Fikra Forum

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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

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Iraqi flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Federal Supreme Court’s Role in Iraq’s Eroding Democracy
Iraq is in real danger of losing its checks and balances and failing as a constitutional democracy due to the rapid collapse of a separation of powers.
Apr 1, 2024
◆
  • Hemin Hawrami
Flag of KRG
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
A House Divided: Can Kurdistan Preserve Its Autonomy?
The KRG’s autonomy hangs in the balance, caught in a pincer movement between internal political discord and a history of externally imposed limitations. The recent court rulings are merely the latest blow, further restricting the KRG’s ability to govern itself.
Mar 27, 2024
◆
  • Ruwayda Mustafah
KRG and Iraq flags, Erbil
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Obstacles and Options in Baghdad-Erbil Negotiations
By finding lasting solutions in coordination with both parties, relations can be mended and the gridlock and animosity that is crippling cooperation between the two parties can be put to an end.
Mar 25, 2024
◆
  • Fawzi al-Zubaidi
Hisham al-Hashemi poster held up by protestors
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hisham al-Hashimi’s Killer Escapes Justice
A Kataib Hezbollah hit man was acquitted of all charges despite convincing evidence that he murdered the famous Iraqi commentator and civil society activist.
Mar 22, 2024
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  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Screenshot of The Washington Institute's Islamic State interactive map
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
One Year of the Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map
The possibility of more terrorist attacks from Afghanistan, foreign fighter mobilizations in Africa, and dangerous ripple effects from U.S. military reshuffles in Iraq and Syria are among the many revealing data points and trends uncovered by this landmark interactive tool.
Mar 20, 2024
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
  • Ilana Winter
A woman at the Al-Hawl (or Al-Hol) detention camp in Syria - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Five Years After the Caliphate, Too Much Remains the Same in Northeast Syria
Islamic State fighters and affiliates detained there remain a regional threat that the international community must resolve in order to prevent a future resurgence.
Mar 19, 2024
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  • Devorah Margolin
  • Camille Jablonski
Fayyadh
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Qais al-Khazali Calls for Faleh al-Fayyad's Removal as PMF Chairman
Asaib Ahl al-Haq is moving to get what it has long sought: a senior leadership role within the Popular Mobilization Forces, a glaring gap in its portfolio of power positions.
Mar 16, 2024
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Huquq
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: The Hoquq Movement
A parliamentary bloc controlled by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Kataib Hezbollah, with a track record of agitating for violence against American interests and Iraqi moderates.
Mar 15, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Ballot box in Iraq
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Between Power Sharing and Power Consolidation: The Impact of Iraq’s Provincial Elections Results
The Coalition Framework’s overall electoral successes in Iraq’s provincial elections is playing out in governor appointment decisions across much of the country, including in Baghdad and Basra. The ongoing competition in Kirkuk, however, highlights just how complicated power-sharing dynamics can become.
Mar 7, 2024
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  • Shimaa Ali
The new IMN Board of Trustees in February 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Iraqi Media Network
The Iraqi Media Network is the latest so-called independent agency to fall under the control of U.S.-designated terrorist groups and human rights abusers, adding a new line of effort to "resistance" attacks on freedom of expression.
Feb 29, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Rabee Nadir
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraq's "Resistance" Factions Shift to Major Crackdown on Media Spaces
Having stopped “resisting” U.S. forces (who shoot back), militias are focusing on unarmed activists in what appears to be a coordinated crackdown on freedom of expression.
Feb 28, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Kataib Al-Imam Ali fighters and an artillery rocket
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Kataib al-Imam Ali
A unique militia that is closer to Lebanese Hezbollah than other Iran-backed Iraqi groups, yet widely resented for prioritizing commercial success over kinetic operations.
Feb 27, 2024
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  • Abdullah Hayek
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Articles & Testimony
Leaving Iraq May Be Washington’s Wisest Choice
Most forces could likely be withdrawn or moved to the Kurdistan Region without harming U.S. interests—in fact, Washington might have more leverage in Baghdad without a troop presence.
Feb 26, 2024
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  • David Schenker
Ameri
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hadi al-Ameri’s Bad(r) Month
The Badr Organization leader has suffered bruising blows from other Iran-backed militias seeking to exploit the group's internal dysfunction and divisions.
Feb 21, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sulaymaniyah, KRI
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Taking Advantage of a Window of Opportunity in the KRG-Baghdad Gas Standoff
By outlining a strategy in the north of Iraq, a vision regarding reconciliation and a constructive settlement of differences between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq in relation to the management of energy resources in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq can emerge.
Feb 16, 2024
◆
  • Muhammed Abed Mazeel al-Aboudi
Fayhan and Qassim Solemani in Jurf as-Sakr in 2014.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
AAH Terrorist Planner Adnan Fayhan Takes Over as Babil Governor
A militia figure implicated in the 2007 murder-kidnapping of five Americans in Karbala is now the governor of an Iraqi province.
Feb 12, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Esmail Qaani with a Fatimiyoun soldier in Syria
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Explaining Apparent Muqawama De-Escalation Since January 28
Since three Americans were killed, the self-styled "resistance" has been almost inactive except for a spate of fake, foiled, and disavowed attacks, pointing to an order from Iran to calm things down.
Feb 7, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Baqr al-Saedi's car, Feb 7, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Abu Baqr al-Saeedi: Kataib Hezbollah Terrorist, Serving PMF Official
The Kataib Hezbollah leader killed on February 7 in Baghdad was (until now) a living nexus of Kataib Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the facade group Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq.
Feb 7, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Liwa al-Tafuf logo
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Liwa al-Tafuf (13th PMF Brigade)
The brigade belongs to the state-funded Popular Mobilization Forces and is a core member of Kataib Hezbollah’s cluster of militias that facilitate anti-U.S. attacks in Iraq’s Anbar province, eastern Syria, and Jordan.
Feb 3, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Sabreen claims the reports of drones attack on Harir lies
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
To Resist or Not to Resist: That Is the Muqawama’s Question
After Kataib Hezbollah announced it was suspending attacks on U.S. forces, the self-styled “resistance” became a hot mess of recriminations.
Feb 2, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ 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
Michael Eisenstadt is the Kahn Senior 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 Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and cofounder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias.
Bilal Wahab
Bilal Wahab
Bilal Wahab was the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.
Elizabeth Dent - source: The Washington Institute
Elizabeth Dent
Elizabeth Dent is a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where she focuses on U.S. foreign and defense policy toward the Gulf states, Iraq, and Syria.
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