Iraq Situation Report: August 15, 2014
August 15, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
On August 14, 2014 ISIS clashed with the military wing of the Sadrist movement, the Promised Day Brigade (PDB), now called the Peace Companies, west of Samarra.
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Publications
Dabiq: The Strategic Messaging of the Islamic State
August 15, 2014 - Harleen Gambhir
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham’s (ISIS) assault on the city of Mosul on June 10, 2014 demonstrated its formidable military strength. ISIS’s activities across Iraq and Syria also reveal that the organization is engaged in governance programs, ranging from Shari’a courts to aid distribution and law enforcement. These efforts underscore ISIS’s desire to erect a functional Caliphate within the boundaries of its controlled territory. That effort requires political and religious control in addition to military victory, and ISIS has a vision for how the Caliphate will form. ISIS has begun to explain its grand strategy to achieve this end through extensive public outreach, including a digital magazine series entitled Dabiq. This backgrounder will examine the contents of the first issue of Dabiq in detail, explaining the significance of this strategic messaging approach by ISIS in conjunction with the announcement of a Caliphate.
Iraq Situation Report: August 14, 2014
August 14, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
Nouri al-Maliki announced he would step down and support Haider al-Abadi’s nomination as Prime Minister, ending the political crisis that intensified on August 10, 2014 and existentially threatened Iraq’s political system.
Iraq Situation Report: August 13, 2014
August 13, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
ISIS and the Peshmerga continue to challenge one another for territorial control along the Kurdish internal boundaries in northern and eastern Iraq.
Control of Terrain in Iraq: August 13, 2014
August 13, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
The sub-district of Jalula was reported to be taken by ISIS after launching a major assault that pushed the Peshmerga out of the area.
Iraq Situation Report: August 12, 2014
August 12, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
Baghdad security has become a heightened concern given the uncertain leadership of the Iraqi Security Forces.
Afghanistan’s Fraught Political Transition and Implications for Its Security Beyond 2014
August 12, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
On Saturday, June 14, Afghanistan held its second round, run-off presidential election since no presidential candidate was able to secure at least 50 percent of the votes in the first-round election on April 5. In that first contest, the two front-runners, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Dr. Ashraf Ghani, won 45 percent and 31.56 percent of the vote, respectively.
Iraq Situation Report: August 11, 2014
August 11, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
ISF and ISOF were reportedly heavily deployed around the Green Zone and in strategic areas in Baghdad yesterday in what appeared to be a military coup.
Iraq’s President Selects Haider al-Abadi as Prime Minister as Maliki Shows Force in Baghdad
August 11, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
Key Takeaway: Iraq’s incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki maneuvered elite military units in Baghdad overnight on August 10, cutting off entrances to the protected Green Zone, in an effort to secure power by use of force. This is currently serving as a demonstration of force.
Iraq Situation Report: August 10, 2014
August 10, 2014 - Institute for the Study of War
The “largest bloc” was not tasked by the Iraqi president to form the government today, missing the deadline that was already extended for three days per a request from the president.