Key Takeaways: POLITICS: Sudani Shows Solidarity with PMF and INIS After Attacks, Authorizes Self-Defense; Arab States Tell Baghdad to Rein in Militia Attacks – On March 19, amid new U.S. strikes, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani visited the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), where he met PMF Chairman Falih al-Fayyadh, Chief of Staff Abu […]
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ISHM: January 29 – February 5, 2026
Key Takeaways: POLITICS: Coordination Framework Defends Decision to Nominate Maliki Despite Internal Divisions; Trump’s Iraq Envoy Sacked; Deadlock Over Presidency Continues – On January 31, the Coordination Framework (CF) defended its decision to nominate former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to a third term, three days after U.S. President Donald Trump voiced strong opposition to the […]
New Report Identifies Glaring Gap in Iraq’s Wastewater Management
Iraq faces a profound and growing shortage of clean water. Climate change, upstream damming, and rising demand are drastically reducing the volume of freshwater in the Tigris and Euphrates river systems—the nation’s hydrological lifelines. This physical scarcity is exacerbated by a largely unseen crisis: the large-scale contamination of these dwindling resources with untreated wastewater. Iraq’s […]
ISHM: April 24 – May 1, 2025
Key Takeaways: POLITICS: Iraq Seeks Stronger Trade, Security, Energy Ties with Syria; Charges Dismissed Against Halbousi; Court to Reconsider Ruling on Kuwait Border Treaty – On April 25, an Iraqi delegation led by intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri visited Damascus and met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The talks focused on counter-terrorism and border security cooperation, […]
ISHM: February 29 – March 7, 2024
Key Takeaways: Kurdistan To Hold Elections In June; PMF Chief Under Fire After Controversial Anbar Meeting; Sudani To Visit Washington In April – On March 3, KRG President Nechirvan Barzani signed a decree designating June 10, 2024 as the date for the next parliamentary election in the Kurdistan region. The decision comes days after Iraq’s […]
ISHM: JULY 14 – 21, 2022
Key Takeaways: Sadr Tells Maliki To Leave Politics As Leaked Recordings Reveal Civil War Threats; Baghdad Demands Turkish Withdrawal After Deadly Shelling – On July 17, Nouri al-Maliki said that audio recordings posted by an Iraqi commentator on Twitter, in which Maliki allegedly attacked other political leaders and threatened violence, were “fabrications.” The five clips […]
EPIC WELCOMES SUMMER 2022 INTERNS
At least once a year, EPIC welcomes a new cohort of interns – young professionals seeking to add practical experience to their academic backgrounds in humanitarian affairs, international relations, security studies, political science, public relations, and beyond. We are grateful for their contributions to our research, action, and advocacy, and for the opportunity to connect […]
ISHM: JUNE 17 – JUNE 24, 2021
Key Takeaways: EU Agrees To Send Election Monitors; U.S. Seizes Websites Of Iran-Backed Iraqi Channels – On June 19, Iraq’s Foreign Minister met with his Ukrainian counterpart to discuss trade, transportation links, cooperation in agriculture, and student exchange programs. On June 20, IHEC said that candidates with alleged ties to Saddam Hussein’s regime have until […]
ISHM: JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 4, 2021
Key Takeaways: U.S. And Iraq To Resume Strategic Dialogue; Committee Revises 2021 Budget; KRG In Tense Negotiations For Its Share; Foreign Minister Discusses Energy, Banking And Regional Tensions In Tehran – On January 28, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iraq’s Foreign Minister discussed resuming their bilateral strategic dialogue talks. On January 28, Cardinal […]
Our Appeal for a Brighter, Safer New Year
As the New Year begins, we have a special opportunity to double our impact for lasting peace in Iraq. Two generous EPIC supporters have agreed to match all gifts up to $15,000! With this opportunity, you can help make 2x the impact in 2021. In Sinjar, we are empowering community-based activists to use creative story-telling […]