Iran
Maximum Pressure Still Won’t Sway Iran
Ariane Tabatabai, Colin P. Clarke Mon, Apr 13, 2020, 8:00 AM
The aggressive U.S. strategy has raised tensions in Iraq without creating prospects for a resolution.
Latest in Iraq
Iraq
The Irresistible Resiliency of Iraq’s Protesters
Ranj Alaaldin Thu, Feb 6, 2020, 9:00 AM
The odds are stacked against reform, but protesters have withstood tumultuous events and waves of repression.
Podcasts
Lawfare Podcast Special Edition: The Soleimani Strike and Its Fallout
Benjamin Wittes Fri, Jan 3, 2020, 2:01 PM
The American drone strike last night that killed Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, is a seismic event in U.S.-Iranian relations—and for the broader Middle East. We put together an emergency podcast, drawing on the resources of both Lawfare and the Brookings Institution and reflecting the depth of the remarkable collaboration between the two.
Foreign Policy Essay
America’s Anti-Islamic State Volunteers
Shashi Jayakumar Sun, Dec 1, 2019, 10:00 AM
What will happen to the foreign fighters who traveled to Iraq and Syria to combat the Islamic State?
Foreign Policy Essay
Losing Control Over Returnees?
Thomas Renard, Rik Coolsaet Sun, Oct 13, 2019, 10:00 AM
Editor’s Note: Perhaps the biggest counterterrorism challenge facing European states is how to handle their citizens who went to fight in Iraq and Syria and now seek to return. Europe's response has been muddled, with many states reluctant to take responsibility for their nationals yet not advancing an alternative policy. Thomas Renard and Rik Coolsaet of the Egmont Institute assess the problems European states face and outline ways to make the return of foreign fighters less risky and more sustainable.
Daniel Byman
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Foreign Policy Essay
A New Source of U.S. Influence in Iraq
Douglas A. Ollivant Sun, Aug 11, 2019, 10:00 AM
Editor’s Note: U.S. influence in Iraq, uneven in the best of times, often suffers from a lack of leverage. As a result, the United States has found it harder to counter Iran’s influence, fight terrorism, improve governance or achieve other goals. Douglas Ollivant of New America finds a new bright spot in the U.S. effort. By using the Magnitsky Act, designed to counter corruption and human rights abuses, the United States is discrediting some of the country’s worst actors and thus indirectly empowering local U.S. allies.
Daniel Byman
Iraq
How U.S.-Iran Tensions Could Disrupt Iraq’s Fragile Peace
Ranj Alaaldin Tue, Jun 4, 2019, 8:00 AM
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on Order from Chaos.
Foreign Policy Essay
Is the Islamic State Defeated?
Jacob Olidort Sun, Mar 17, 2019, 10:25 AM
Editor’s Note: Whether the Islamic State is out as well as down is hotly debated in the terrorism world. President Trump believes the group is defeated, but most analysts argue that it remains a major threat. How to measure defeat, though, is not given much consideration. Jacob Olidort of American University argues that the president basically has it right: If you look at a broad range of measures, the Islamic State is defeated and U.S. policy should reflect this win.
Daniel Byman
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Foreign Policy Essay
Thinking Critically About “By, With, Through” in Syria, Iraq, and Beyond
Morgan Kaplan Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 10:00 AM
Editor’s Note: In the years since 9/11, the United States has waged war around the globe. It has often done so, however, “by, with, and through” local partners. Despite the importance of this approach and its overall value to the United States, its risks and limits do not receive enough attention. Morgan Kaplan of the Buffett Institute at Northwestern asks several probing questions about U.S. efforts to work with partners and concludes that this approach should not be uncritically embraced.
Daniel Byman
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Iraq
Can Iraq’s New Leadership Win (and Keep) the Peace?
Ranj Alaaldin Fri, Nov 30, 2018, 7:00 AM
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on Order from Chaos.