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Post-War Watch

Analyzing the Middle East after a Decade of Conflict

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Tag: ISIS

After Sectarianism
Interview

After Sectarianism

FANAR HADDAD — Iraqi sectarian and political identities have changed fundamentally since 2014.  Continue reading “After Sectarianism”

Iraq’s Permanent Mobilization
Interview

Iraq’s Permanent Mobilization

RENAD MANSOUR — The most powerful groups within the PMU existed long before ISIS, and will continue to build influence.  Continue reading “Iraq’s Permanent Mobilization”

Erbil’s Endgame
Interview

Erbil’s Endgame

BILAL WAHAB — Preparations for the independence referendum highlight political and generational divides in Iraqi Kurdistan.  Continue reading “Erbil’s Endgame”

Back to Iraq’s Future
Interview

Back to Iraq’s Future

MICHAEL KNIGHTS — To manage complex security challenges after ISIS, Baghdad should look to the pre-2014 period for guidance.   Continue reading “Back to Iraq’s Future”

Risk and Reform in Iraqi Kurdistan
Interview

Risk and Reform in Iraqi Kurdistan

BARHAM A. SALIH — Policymakers in Iraqi Kurdistan must restore their people’s faith in the government, or jeopardize the region’s future.  Continue reading “Risk and Reform in Iraqi Kurdistan”

Iraq’s Hidden Wounds
Interview

Iraq’s Hidden Wounds

SHERRI KRAHAM TALABANY — Helping vulnerable populations requires an integrated approach to mental healthcare and socio-economic empowerment.  Continue reading “Iraq’s Hidden Wounds”

The Fog of War Against ISIS
Interview

The Fog of War Against ISIS

BELKIS WILLE — Uncertainty regarding proper screening, detention, and civilian return procedures threatens future instability in Iraq. Continue reading “The Fog of War Against ISIS”

Averting Disaster in Afghanistan
Interview

Averting Disaster in Afghanistan

CHRISTOPHER D. KOLENDA — Unless the United States changes its strategy in Afghanistan, that country could experience even greater tumult.  Continue reading “Averting Disaster in Afghanistan”

Beyond Iraq’s Headlines
Interview

Beyond Iraq’s Headlines

TIM ARANGO — Although the risks for journalists in Iraq may be highly visible, reporting in the country has only become easier.  Continue reading “Beyond Iraq’s Headlines”

How to Protect Iraq’s Civilians
Interview

How to Protect Iraq’s Civilians

SAHR MUHAMMEDALLY — Iraq’s government can implement civilian protection policies to promote national reconciliation and reduce tensions between the country’s myriad communities.  Continue reading “How to Protect Iraq’s Civilians”

Learning Civilian Protection
Interview

Learning Civilian Protection

SARAH HOLEWINSKI — Protecting civilians during wartime must be a strategic priority for American policymakers. Continue reading “Learning Civilian Protection”

The Future for Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units
Analysis, Education for Peace in Iraq Center

The Future for Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units

Today, the status of Iraqi armed groups remains ambiguous despite Baghdad’s attempts to integrate them into the military command structure — a situation that highlights the complex, multifaceted, and poorly-understood roles they will play in Iraq’s political, social, and military development after ISIS.  Continue reading “The Future for Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units”

Empty Classrooms and Black Market Textbooks
Analysis, Education for Peace in Iraq Center

Empty Classrooms and Black Market Textbooks

For Iraqi youth, opportunities to attend school have diminished. Without renewed investment in the country’s education system, the next 30 years will witness the maturation of a generation lacking its predecessor’s skills and training — reshaping its socio-economic environment. Continue reading “Empty Classrooms and Black Market Textbooks”

Proxy War in Post-ISIL Iraq
Interview

Proxy War in Post-ISIL Iraq

JOOST HILTERMANN — In northern Iraq, Turkey and Iran are dangerously playing their proxies against each other. 
Continue reading “Proxy War in Post-ISIL Iraq”

Tal Afar: Spark for a Turkey-Iran Proxy War?
Analysis, Education for Peace in Iraq Center

Tal Afar: Spark for a Turkey-Iran Proxy War?

In Tal Afar, an overstretched Iraqi Army leaves regional powerbrokers and their proxies room to fight, with little chance of mediation.
Continue reading “Tal Afar: Spark for a Turkey-Iran Proxy War?”

Forgotten Front Line in Hawija
Analysis, Education for Peace in Iraq Center

Forgotten Front Line in Hawija

The Iraqi government has ignored Hawija’s plight, risking future unrest.  Continue reading “Forgotten Front Line in Hawija”

Rhetoric and Decentralization
Interview

Rhetoric and Decentralization

PAUL STANILAND — Uncertainty regarding internal Afghan Taliban politics limits options for leaders in both Kabul and Islamabad. 

Continue reading “Rhetoric and Decentralization”

Cycles of Crisis
Interview

Cycles of Crisis

KENNETH POLLACK — The same political mistakes that sparked Iraq’s conflict in 2006 and 2014 threaten to tear the country apart again.
Continue reading “Cycles of Crisis”

Mystique of Monarchy
Interview

Mystique of Monarchy

MADAWI AL-RASHEED — Limited social and political reforms in Saudi Arabia only prolong the life of authoritarianism.  Continue reading “Mystique of Monarchy”

One Million Man Moment
Interview

One Million Man Moment

MICHAEL KNIGHTS — Iraq lacks credible national leadership, and that may be alright.  Continue reading “One Million Man Moment”

Devils You Don’t Know
Interview

Devils You Don’t Know

MICHAEL KNIGHTS — The Islamic State is the least of Iraq’s challenges.  Continue reading “Devils You Don’t Know”

Myths and Marginalization
Interview

Myths and Marginalization

FANAR HADDAD — Iraq’s sectarian competition has been much more about differences in national truths than religious ones. Continue reading “Myths and Marginalization”

On the Verge
Interview

On the Verge

MOHAMMED SHAREEF — Since 2003 Iraqi Kurdistan has changed from a pawn to an actor. Today this transformation is being put to the test. Continue reading “On the Verge”

Hezbollah’s New Ground
Interview

Hezbollah’s New Ground

RODGER SHANAHAN — As the country wobbles, Lebanon’s “Party of God” advances narrow, sectarian interests as its regional capabilities increase. Continue reading “Hezbollah’s New Ground”

“The Greatest Challenge”
Analysis

“The Greatest Challenge”

Information at a glance from one of the P-WW’s contributors, Harith al-Qarawee, on the current developments in Iraq.

 

Continue reading ““The Greatest Challenge””

Iraq at the Abyss
Analysis

Iraq at the Abyss

MATTHEW SCHWEITZER — The United States must pressure Maliki to enact political changes to prevent further disaster, that is, if Iraq has not already fallen into the abyss. 

Continue reading “Iraq at the Abyss”

An Unthreatening Storm
Interview

An Unthreatening Storm

JOHN NAGL — The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) was kicked out of Al Qaeda for being too violent. It may soon be kicked out of Iraq, and history. Continue reading “An Unthreatening Storm”

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