By Omar Al-Nidawi The U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding signed last week at Versailles could mark a new opening in relations between Tehran and Washington after months of violent confrontation. However, its regional implications, particularly for Iraq, remain uncertain, and it is still too early to determine whether the agreement will ultimately benefit or harm the […]
Category: Analysis
Issue Briefing: Iraq’s Oil Export Crisis – Risks and Policy Priorities
Iraq’s oil sector has weathered wars, sanctions, and political turmoil, but nothing prepared the country for the shock it faced when the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. Overnight, Iraq lost the export route that carries nearly all of its crude—an economic lifeline that funds 90 percent of the state’s budget. The […]
Iraq Caught in the Middle: The Iran War’s Impact and What Comes Next
A temporary ceasefire in the Iran war has not stabilized Iraq. Instead, it has exposed the country’s structural vulnerability to external conflict and pressure—caught between the United States and Iran, with economic strain, disrupted oil exports, and militia activity amplifying internal fragility.
A Vote Against All: How Spoiled Ballots Became a Political Voice in Iraqi Kurdistan
By Winthrop Rodgers When Iraqi voters went to the polls on November 11 to elect a new parliament, some voters made a pragmatic calculation to support a party that could offer them patronage or employment. Others turned to political ideology, ethno-sectarian identity, or tribal affiliation to guide their choice. Despite better-than-expected turnout, millions stayed at […]
Iraq’s 2025 Election: Stability at the Cost of Reform?
by Erik K. Gustafson Iraq’s November 2025 parliamentary election, the sixth since 2005, took place in a country enjoying hard-won stability despite regional unrest. The voting process was peaceful, and in the final results published earlier this week, Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) confirmed a significant jump in voter turnout nationwide. The election was […]
Six Things You Need to Know About Iraq’s Upcoming Elections
By Ahmed Ali On November 11, Iraq heads to the polls for its sixth parliamentary election in two decades. This vote will take place at a pivotal moment: regional tensions are high, the political system remains fragile, yet the country enjoys a level of domestic security not seen in years. The elections will decide whether […]
Remembering the United Nations Sanctions on Iraq
By Shannon Raymond This week marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the invasion of Kuwait by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The invasion provoked outrage in the international community, prompting the United Nations Security Council to institute a worldwide ban on trade with Iraq with the stated goal of forcing Iraq’s withdrawal from Kuwait. Even after […]
Iraq’s democracy at crossroads as parliamentary polls near
This analysis by Omar Al-Nidawi was originally published by Amwaj Media. As anticipation rises ahead of Iraq’s parliamentary elections in November, so is deep seated concern that the polls could upturn the fragile recovery of the economy and security situation. Despite the seemingly improved conditions in recent years, there are strong indicators of democratic backsliding in state institutions, with potentially far-reaching implications for […]
NEW: EPIC Brief on Gas Flaring in Iraq
Each year in Iraq, gas flaring greatly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, causing severe damage to the environment, economy, and health of the Iraqi people. Yet, this destructive practice persists. In the past year alone, Iraq burned over 600 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas, releasing it into the atmosphere due to inadequate infrastructure for capturing and processing this […]
Can oil and water mix?: Creating opportunities for Iraq-Turkey cooperation
Originally published by the Middle East Institute — August 31, 2023 Last week saw a flurry of diplomatic activity between Baghdad and Ankara. The top priorities in the talks that took place in Erbil, Ankara, and Baghdad almost simultaneously were oil exports, the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraq, and Iraq’s water crisis. The visits […]