Iraq

On May 31, AGSIW hosted researchers and guests from the Chicago Project on Security and Threats to present findings and insights into political violence across the globe for 2021.

Muqtada al-Sadr’s exit from Iraq’s political process seems to be a huge political miscalculation, but there is still a tough road ahead for government formation despite the change in the political map.

Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has played a key role in Iraq’s religious and political spheres, particularly as a staunch opponent of vilayet e-faqih.

Europe is desperately seeking alternatives to Russian gas, but the Kurdistan Regional Government has some way to go before it can produce excess gas for exportation.

Iraq’s government formation drama might continue, but public pressure could force rival parties to reach a deal after Ramadan.

Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Iraq has become a transit country for drug cartels. And as social conditions in Iraq have deteriorated, drug addiction among Iraqis has increased.

Iraq’s final reparations payment to Kuwait may open the door to increased cooperation, but competing visions and shared security concerns will shape the future.

The Iraqi presidency is effectively reserved for a Kurdish leader, but Salih and Zebari may point the country in very different directions.