Iraq

Iraq 2021-2022: A Forecast

The United States cannot stabilize—or safely deprioritize—the Middle East without first stabilizing Iraq.

Iraq is Fragile, Not Hopeless: How Iraq’s Fragility Undermines Regional Stability

The stabilization of the Iraqi state remains strategically important to the United States and worthy of a concerted US policy effort.

Iraq Control of Terrain Map: February 9, 2016

Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Sunni Arab tribal ­fighters backed by Coalition air support recaptured central Ramadi on January 9, the completion of a six-month operation. Iraqi Security Forces entered the city center on December 22.

The Pitfalls of Relying on Kurdish Forces to Counter ISIS

American over-reliance on Kurdish forces as the primary ground partner in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) threatens the long-term success of the anti-ISIS campaign.

Ramadi Control Map: December 28, 2015

The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) reportedly recaptured the government complex in central Ramadi on December 28 after clearing ISIS-held areas south of the complex on December 26 and 27.

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Overview

The Iraq Project at the Institute for the Study of War produces detailed publications that monitor and analyze the changing security and political dynamics within Iraq. Topics include: understanding the evolving nature of Iraqi politics and Iraq’s democratic transition; evaluating Iraq’s security after U.S. forces withdraw; and analyzing the influence and behavior of regional actors in Iraq.

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Iran Update, July 9, 2025

Russia offered to help replenish Iran’s depleted uranium stockpile to support a peaceful nuclear program. Russia's involvement in the US-Iran nuclear talks would be very unlikely to secure US interests due to Russia's alignment with Iran.

The Israel-Iran War Rebalances the Adversary Entente

The Adversary Entente failed to decisively respond to the Israel-Iran war on Iran’s behalf. Neither Russia, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), nor North Korea came to Iran’s aid during the Israeli and US strikes on the Iranian nuclear program, despite each country’s pre-existing relationship with the Islamic Republic.

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ISW in the News

LTG Dubik on the Fight for Tikrit

“The concern [over Shi’a militias] is what happens after the battle.  Will there be sectarian violence?…  Or will there be a relatively inclusive kind of governance and even-handed governance?  If it’s the latter, that will bode well for the future.  If it’s the former, these will be big problems.”

The Fight for Mosul

Mosul is a “very big target to start the counter-offensive with and the stakes will be pretty high to make sure that it’s successful.”  Signaling the move on Mosul by U.S. was “really foolish.”