Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

Formed by Ashab al-Kahf and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, this Persian-named violent protest movement has been used to carry out threats against the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Jul 20, 2023

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Amir al-Kaabi
Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Brief Analysis

Iraq’s Power Problem (Part 2): Implications of the New Oil-for-Gas Deal with Iran

Baghdad hopes to avoid power cuts, political turmoil, and U.S. sanctions by striking a barter agreement with Tehran, but the deal raises many questions.

Jul 19, 2023

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Bilal Wahab
Dennis Ross

Photo of an oil facility in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Brief Analysis

Iraq’s Power Problem (Part 1): Persistent Financial and Technical Challenges

Diversifying Iraq’s energy supplies won’t mean much if its power infrastructure is not rehabilitated, and the skewed cost-revenue ratio at the Ministry of Electricity is unsustainable.

Jul 17, 2023

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Noam Raydan

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Ashab al-Kahf's "Iraqi Basij" and the Threat Against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

The militia entity has created a new Persian-named protest group and called on mobs to storm the embassy compound.

Jul 17, 2023

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Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Fikra Forum

The Abu Ragheef Committee Crisis: Security Repercussions for Iraq

The repercussions of the Abu Ragheef committee are still playing out in Iraq, as the Sudani government attempts to assign blame and pursue justice.

Jul 14, 2023

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Fawzi al-Zubaidi

Fikra Forum

Hakan Fidan and the New Turkish Diplomacy in Iraq

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan will have to navigate urgent changes and new challenges in crafting Turkish policy towards Iraq.

Jul 13, 2023

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Firas Elias

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militia Propagandists Comment on Tsurkov Kidnapping

The March kidnapping has been widely attributed to Kataib Hezbollah, while most militia commentators link the incident to supposed Israeli spying.

Jul 7, 2023

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Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Infighting Between Northern Hashd Units Requires IRGC-QF Mediation

Iran's senior Revolutionary Guard operator in Kirkuk and religious-political leader Ammar al-Hakim were recently brought in to mediate between feuding state-paid militias.

Jul 6, 2023

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Michael Knights
Amir al-Kaabi
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Fikra Forum

In Iraq, the Kurds Are Their Own Worst Enemy

Kurds were once referred to as kingmakers, a pillar of stability, and the most powerful force in the fight against ISIS. Now, the Kurdish Region of Iraq is crippled by ferocious partisanships, tribal politics, and internal splits.

Jun 17, 2023

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Yerevan Saeed

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Three New Facade Groups Launched in Iraq

Efforts are being made to create new brands for anti-American "resistance" on Iraqi soil, even as politically connected militias try to distance themselves from kinetic attacks on U.S. targets.

Jun 12, 2023

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Salman Rushdie, attacker Hadi Matar, cell phone, Qasem Soleimani

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Is Iran Looking to Inspire Shia Homegrown Violent Extremist Attacks?

Amid a social media space rife with inflammatory content, two attacks last year showcased the willingness of Iran-inspired perpetrators to act.

Jun 12, 2023

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Moustafa Ayad
Matthew Levitt

Qazi Muhammed salutes at the founding of the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in 1946 - source: Wikimedia Commons

Articles & Testimony

Russia and the Kurds: A Soft-Power Tool for the Kremlin?

An in-depth look at how Russian leaders have played the Kurdish card over the past two centuries, including recent engagement in Syria and Iraq.

Summer 2023

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Articles & Testimony

Washington Keeps a Watchful Eye as the PMF Consolidates Its Dominance in Iraq

The Biden administration’s low-key, patient approach with Prime Minister Sudani has produced some positive results, but the lesson of Hezbollah and the Houthis is that Iranian proxies tend to cement their grip over a state when left unchecked.

Jun 8, 2023

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David Schenker

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

Video

Brief Analysis

What to Do With Families of Islamic State Foreign Fighters

Backed by hard data, on-the-ground observations, and best practices, three experts explore the thorny question of repatriating the children and spouses of imprisoned jihadists.

Jun 5, 2023

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Martyn Warr
Austin Doctor
Devorah Margolin

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Articles & Testimony

Iraq Is Quietly Falling Apart

While Washington focuses on great power competition, Iran’s proxies have seized power in Baghdad and are gutting the state.

Jun 5, 2023

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Michael Knights

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Arabic Original of Muhandis General Company Articles of Incorporation

PDF copy of the Arabic original of the February 26, 2023, articles of incorporation of the Muhandis General Company for Construction, Engineering and Mechanical, Agricultural and Industrial Contracting (hereafter shortened to Muhandis General Company).

Jun 5, 2023

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Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Muhandis General Company articles of incorpration front page

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Certificate of Incorporation of the Muhandis General Company

A translation of the articles of incorporation for a major IRGC-like firm run by Iraq's "resistance" militias.

Jun 3, 2023

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Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Extraordinary Popular Mobilization Force Expansion, by the Numbers

The PMF is growing fast by every metric, from budget to authorized manpower to training and economic programs, though militia leaders seem wary of highlighting this expansion.

Jun 3, 2023

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Amir al-Kaabi
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

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

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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

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Feyzullah Tuna Aygün

Supported by the

Rubin Family Arab Politics Program

The Washington Institute's Rubin Family Arab Politics Program 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

Rubin Family Arab Politics Program

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Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

Rubin Family Arab Politics Program

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