Publications

Afghanistan's Powerbrokers Prepare for 2019 Presidential Elections

March 9, 2018 - ISW Press

Afghanistan’s powerbrokers are in the early stages of an intense competition as they prepare for the planned 2019 presidential election. The multi-month disagreement between President Ashraf Ghani and warlord and long-time Balkh Province Governor Mohammad Atta Noor over the latter’s governorship is the first stage of a much larger battle between the two politicians for the presidency.

Ayad Allawi Sets Conditions to Recreate 2011 Premiership Bid

March 9, 2018 - ISW Press

Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi is presenting himself as a viable Shi’a reformist alternative to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the upcoming Iraqi legislative elections slated for May 12, 2018. Allawi will likely leverage his opposition to the expansion of the Iranian influence in Iraq, reformist stance and support for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to draw Shi’a Sadrist and some Kurdish support in the post-election premier selection phase.

Russia's Military Posture: Ground Forces Order of Battle

March 7, 2018 - Catherine Harris

Russia is a poor country—its economy is roughly the size of Italy’s on a bigger population and a vast territory—and conventional warfare is exceedingly expensive. That is why Russia’s Vladimir Putin has opted for hybrid warfare whenever possible—it is the manner of fighting best suited to the brilliant poor.

Syria Situation Report: February 7 - 21, 2018

February 23, 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 February 7 - 21, 2018. The control of terrain represented on the graphics is accurate as of February 22, 2018.

The Link Between Eastern Ghouta and US National Security

February 22, 2018 - Jennifer Cafarella

American passivity in the face of Assad’s violence, enabled by Iran and Russia, will not only deepen the humanitarian crisis, it also harms U.S. national security, Jennifer Cafarella argues in a FoxNews.com opinion essay.

Tamping down the crisis in Turkey

February 16, 2018 - Jennifer Cafarella

ISW's Senior Intelligence Planner, Jennifer Cafarella, on deteriorating U.S. - Turkish relations and the Kurdish diaspora featured in The Hill.

Russian Air Power Shapes Strategic Balance in Northern Syria

February 14, 2018 - Chris Kozak
By Christopher Kozak


America's Global Competitions: The Gray Zone in Context

February 14, 2018 - LTG James M. Dubik (U.S. Army, Ret.)

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.

Electoral Shifts Likely Following Deadline Extension for Candidates

February 12, 2018 - Jessa "Rose" Dury-Agri

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

February 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.

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