Erik is EPIC's founder and director. As a U.S. veteran of the 1991 Gulf War, Erik has devoted his life to humanitarian action and empowering youth in support of Iraq's peace and development.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which for the first few months seemed to mysteriously spare Iraq’s exposed population, is now hitting the country of 39 million and its under-resourced health system hard. The main cause has been poor compliance with social distancing policies by many Iraqis who haven’t taken the pandemic seriously… Read more
We are one world.
Iraq is us and we are Iraq. The world heritage of the land between two rivers is interwoven into the very fabric of who we are — from humanity’s early quest for meaning (the Epic of Gilgamesh) to our pursuit of knowledge (Ibn al-Haythem… Read more
With the U.S. targeted killing of Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassim Soleimani and U.S.-Iran confrontations on Iraqi soil, we are closely following fast moving events that carry very serious risks to people we care about, and for the future of peace and democratic reform in Iraq.
WHAT WE KNOW
Inside… Read more
The past year was marked by considerable political turmoil and unrest in Iraq, underscoring the many challenges that the country faces beyond the battlefield.
In 2018, we saw a further erosion of public confidence in Iraqi leaders over corruption, insufficient basic services, and unemployment; a parliamentary election marred by poor… Read more
In places like Mosul and Sinjar, communities have embarked on the long road to recovery. Young people are using their bare hands to clear debris. Health clinics and shops have reopened and schools are preparing for the next school year.
While such physical signs of rebuilding can be seen… Read more
It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform our friends that EPIC’s Program Manager, Taif Jany, will be leaving us at the end of this month to join a progressive advocacy group here in Washington, DC.
Taif came to us as an intern in 2013, and it was… Read more
My friends and colleagues have asked me over the years: Why do I care so much about Iraq? Twenty-five years ago, I toured newly liberated Kuwait and witnessed first hand the environmental devastation and human costs of modern warfare. That experience kindled a life-long passion for preventing and mitigating armed… Read more
Today, Iraqis are celebrating the liberation of Ramadi from ISIS. While the long ordeal of those we serve is long from over, there is reason to have new hope in the new year.
As 2015 comes to a close and we look ahead, we want to take a moment to… Read more
In 2007, Iraq won the Asia Cup sending waves of euphoria across Iraq as millions of people took to the streets to celebrate, bringing a brief respite to the violence.
That unifying moment for the people of Iraq has never been forgotten, inspiring the launch of Soccer Salam — a… Read more
