Iraq

Policy Analysis on Iraq

Orbital Fluctuations Among the Iran-Supported Militias in Iraq

Astronomical models provide a surprisingly helpful illustration of how Iran-backed armed groups wield power in the MENA region.

Mar 22, 2023

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Michael Knights

Muhandis company launch event leadership attendeees

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Muhandis Company: Iraq’s Khatam al-Anbia

Mar 21, 2023

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Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Articles & Testimony

Remaking Iraq: How Iranian-Backed Militias Captured the Country

The slow-rolling regime change focused on capturing U.S.-supported institutions and turning them against U.S. interests, highlighting the threat that motivated, well-funded groups pose to developing democracies.

Mar 20, 2023

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Crispin Smith
Michael Knights

Fikra Forum

How Iraqis View Life after the Fall of Saddam—Twenty Years Ago and Today

Two decades after the fall of Saddam Hussein, widespread frustration with the current state of Iraq is leading increasing numbers to express a negative view of life in the post-Saddam era.

Mar 19, 2023

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Munqith Dagher

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Kataib Babiliyoun (50th PMF Brigade)

Kataib Babiliyoun pretends to be a local Christian unit, but its members have been recruited from Shia Muslim communities in southern Iraq with the goal of dominating Iraq's strategic Nineveh Plains region.

Mar 16, 2023

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Michael Knights
Yaqoub Beth-Addai

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Nineveh Plains Christians Defend Against the Babiliyoun Militia

An Iran-backed militia run by a notorious human rights abuser was kicked out of a Christian town after it tried to replace local police leaders.

Mar 16, 2023

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Yaqoub Beth-Addai

◆ Militia Spotlight

Fikra Forum

Electoral Law: Signaling a Short-Lived Run for Iraq’s Independent MPs?

A change to the Sainte-Laguë representation system will significantly hinder the ability of smaller parties and independent candidates to win seats in Iraq's next elections.

Mar 16, 2023

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Ashleigh Whelan
Mohanad Adnan

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Mainstreaming Hashd Commanders (Part 2): Fifty-Fold Increase in Officer Training

This year has seen a massive increase in the training of Iraqi militia officers at Defense Ministry academies, and a dedicated PMF training college might be developed under expanded legislation.

Mar 15, 2023

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Amir al-Kaabi
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Abu Zaynab al-Lami

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Mainstreaming Hashd Commanders (Part 1): Advanced Education for Senior Militiamen

U.S.-designated terrorists and human rights abusers are beginning to receive senior ranks, staff college certification, and national security degrees at Iraqi and Arab military schools.

Mar 15, 2023

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Michael Knights
Amir al-Kaabi

◆ 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

Fikra Forum

Iraq’s Endless Electoral Law Debate

The Coordination Framework is poised to yet again change Iraq's electoral law, continuing a history of such changes that have destabilized and delegitimized the political system.

Mar 2, 2023

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Feyzullah Tuna Aygün

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

How Militia Digital Media Avoid Domain Seizure and Blocking

Outlets run by terrorist groups Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba continue to modify their domain names and social media brands to dodge shutdowns.

Mar 2, 2023

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Ranw Hassan

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Now that Iraqi PMF groups can deploy to Syria with Baghdad's formal authorization, many cross-border militant activities may accelerate under the cover of earthquake relief.

Feb 27, 2023

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Erik Yavorsky

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Jurf al-Sakhar Model: Militias Debate How to Carve Out a New Enclave North of Baghdad

Tactical disagreements among "resistance" leaders underline their competition for prime real estate and local partners near the capital.

Feb 20, 2023

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Amir al-Kaabi
Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Fikra Forum

Variables the United States Should Consider on Dollar Smuggling in Iraq

U.S. pressure on Iraq to prevent dollar smuggling and dinar laundering can protect Iraq’s sovereignty and weaken Iran. But if executed without deliberation, this pressure could allow Russia and China to enhance their positions in the Middle East.

Feb 15, 2023

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Frzand Sherko

Brief Analysis

The Islamic State in 2023: Threat Levels and Repatriation Questions

The latest UN report on the terrorist organization highlights the need for more progress on addressing repatriation challenges, new financing methods, weapons proliferation, and threats to African stability, among other issues.

Feb 15, 2023

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Devorah Margolin

Photo of an oil facility in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Articles & Testimony

Tipping Point of the Iraq-KRG Energy Dispute

Baghdad’s legal wins won’t mean much if it mishandles the political end, angers Turkey, and further damages the country’s reputation as a reliable oil partner.

Feb 13, 2023

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Bilal Wahab

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Iraq’s "Muqawama Government" Drives Out Prominent LGBTQ Advocate

Officials appear to be cracking down on freedom of speech and alternative lifestyles opposed by the self-styled militia "resistance."

Feb 10, 2023

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Hamdi Malik
Amir al-Kaabi
Michael Knights
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in 2022 - source: Wikimedia Commons

Brief Analysis

Sudani’s Wobbly Balancing Act Between Tehran and Washington

Although it is still too early to write the prime minister off as an Iranian lackey, he is on a familiar trajectory for Iraqi governments: doing the minimum necessary to prevent deterioration with Washington while satisfying the voracious demands of his Iran-backed partners.

Jan 27, 2023

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David Schenker

Akram Kaabi meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov in Moscow in December 2022

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Akram Kaabi’s Visit to Moscow and Its Aftermath

Russia now feels emboldened to openly host Iraqi "resistance" leaders with no government role—including designated terrorists—to discuss their shared interest in confronting the West and working together in Syria and Iraq.

Jan 27, 2023

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Erik Yavorsky

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Transnational Muqawama Show Disapproval Via Warithuun Attack on al-Tanf

With probable IRGC-QF acquiescence, a militia facade group struck U.S. targets in Syria to register its defiance against a possible extension of the U.S. presence in Iraq.

Jan 24, 2023

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Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

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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