Policy Analysis

In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, signs of Chinese soft power are increasingly visible to residents of an area with longstanding ties to the United States.

With U.S. security aid for Iraq under review, Baghdad is attempting to assess the potential impact of an extended freeze on its national security.

Based on their experiences with Trump’s first administration, many Kurdish politicians in both Syria and Iraq believe they are on the brink of historic decisions that will shape their political future.

Efforts to develop Kurdish unity in Syria come at a complex point in discussions about the SDF's future role in a new Syria.

While Iraqi fears of a resurgence of ISIS are legitimate, understanding the realities and opportunities presented with Syria's new government while rejecting sectarian rhetoric are vital for the future of Iraq's relationship with its neighbor.

Last week’s population census in Iraq became the country's first in almost three decades.

The ongoing tensions in Nineveh's municipal council highlight how regional powers vie for influence in Iraq's local elections.

With Iraq's civil society increasingly losing access to international funding, its members face tough choices about the future.

The KDP leadership’s power-sharing status quo may be in jeopardy.

Elections in which Kurdish voters can authentically choose their leaders are not only what Kurdish citizens deserve; they increase the likelihood that the KRG will address the myriad concerns about its governance.

As UNITAD's mandate ends, all involved parties should examine the limitations of what the organization was able to accomplish for the victims of ISIL's crimes after seven years.

The new amendment has been met with concerns as it is believed to promote child marriage, raising the stakes of this proposed amendment and its potential implications.

Kirkuk’s future remains uncertain due to the lack of any consensus-based projects between the governorate’s political actors. Even if these longtime rivals find a way to participate in the local government, it is possible that a slight grievance could devolve into political deadlock.

Effective counter-narratives are required to weaken the group's ideological appeal, especially the propaganda targeting Kurdish populations.

The greatest concern for small communities in Iraq is the failure of the state to regain its strength and ability to manage the country independently.

For the sake of the Iraqi labor market and of developing domestic expertise in oil and gas management, the government should seek to become more attractive to major IOCs outside of the Chinese companies currently drawn in by its bids.

The deterioration of public health in oil extraction cities requires tangible actions to end the suffering of the affected people by providing specialized treatment centers funded by the social benefits from petroleum profits.

By firmly resisting the takeover of higher education by pro-Iran faculty and students, the United States can prevent the militias from recruiting the next generation of fighters.

Only by working to address internal issues can the KRI hope to stem the tide of both irregular migration and the loss of its most valuable human capital.

Given the complicated baggage that Sadr brings into Iraq’s political game, his re-entry into formal politics after a years-long hiatus will likely destabilize the internal Shia political landscape.