Tamping down the crisis in Turkey
Feb 16, 2018 - Jennifer CafarellaISW's Senior Intelligence Planner, Jennifer Cafarella, on deteriorating U.S. - Turkish relations and the Kurdish diaspora featured in The Hill.
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Russian Air Power Shapes Strategic Balance in Northern Syria
Feb 14, 2018 - Chris Kozak
By Christopher Kozak
America's Global Competitions: The Gray Zone in Context
The U.S. faces three, interlocking competitions that will determine the future of the international order. The competitions pit America, its allies, and its partners against: the revisionist powers in Russia, China, and Iran; the revolutionary powers in the global movement animated by groups like al Qaeda ISIS; and the rogue power in North Korea. Success for the U.S. will require wrestling with all three competitions simultaneously and leveraging progress across them.
2018 Iraqi Election Updates
This page highlights updates for the Institute for the Study of War's coverage of Iraq's 2018 Elections series.
Electoral Shifts Likely Following Deadline Extension for Candidates
Feb 12, 2018 - Jessa "Rose" Du...Iraq’s political parties will use a week-long extension on the submission of electoral list candidates to reshape unofficial and official electoral list alliances.
Syria Situation Report: January 24 - February 7, 2018
Feb 9, 2018 - ISW Press
This series of graphics marks the latest installment of our Syria SITREP Map made possible through a partnership between the Institute for the Study of War and Syria Direct. These graphics depict significant developments in the Syrian Civil War from January 24 - February 7, 2018. The control of terrain represented on the graphics is accurate as of February 8, 2018.
Iraq’s Judiciary Rules against Sunni Politician Ahead of Iraqi Elections
Feb 9, 2018 - Omer KassimVice President Nouri al-Maliki–seeking to regain the premiership–is likely leveraging his influence over the judicial process to marginalize political rivals ahead of the legislative and provincial elections, slated for May 12, 2018. Maliki previously influenced Iraq’s judiciary and ostensibly independent bodies to eliminate rival candidates and politicians during his two terms as Prime Minister (2006-2014).
Turkey Exploits Seams of Russo-Iranian Coalition in Idlib
Feb 6, 2018 - ISW Press
Turkey is succeeding in its campaign of imposing cost on pro-regime forces in northwestern Syria. Turkey’s recent deployment to reinforce the de-escalation zone in Idlib Province capitalizes on the divergent tactical prioritizations between Russia and Iran in Syria.
Iraqi Prime Minister’s Electoral Coalition Fractures, Signaling Change of Premier
Feb 2, 2018 - ISW Press
The U.S. should reassess military and political plans that rest on Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s continued premiership after Iraq’s May 12, 2018 elections. A series of splits from Abadi’s electoral list will increase opportunities for alternative candidates to gain the premiership. Abadi’s failed political alliance with Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces and inability to maintain the confidence of Ammar al-Hakim’s political allies signals that Abadi is unable to manage varying political interests and will struggle to hold together a post-election coalition.
Afghanistan Political Showdown between Ashraf Ghani and Mohammad Atta Noor
Feb 1, 2018 - ISW Press
Stalled negotiations between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Balkh warlord Mohammad Atta Noor may lead to a protracted conflict that would endanger the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. Atta has negotiated with Ghani for over a year in order to gain a greater share of power for himself personally and for his political party, Jamiat-e Islami. Atta has threatened imminent mass demonstrations if Ghani does not agree to electoral and constitutional reforms that would likely set favorable conditions for Atta to run for president in 2019.