September 30: Once a deadline, now a test for the Iraqi state

Iraqi officials and Shiite militia leaders now say September 30 marks only the coalition's departure, not a deadline for disarmament, and describe it as the start of understandings on restricting weapons to state authority.

Baxtiyar Goran

Opinion

The Houthi takeover of Bab al-Mandab and Iran’s counter-economic strategy

Unless the Houthis are dislodged militarily, there is also little reason for them to voluntarily relinquish such a strategic gain. Control over territory around Bab al-Mandab gives them enormous leverage over Yemen, Saudi Arabia and international shipping.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

The SDF is gone; The Kurdish question is not

The fact of the matter is that, as it stands, the current situation tilts mostly toward surrender and defeat for the Kurds in Syria. It was the outcome of an alignment of the interests of the current Syrian government, Turkey, Gulf states, and America over Syria’s future course, and the Kurds simply did not possess the power to resist it. For the umpteenth time, the harsh realities of regional geopolitics, and their convergence with global dynamics, hit the Kurds hard in the face.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

September 30: A new chapter for Iraq, but not necessarily a good one

The US military is set to complete its withdrawal from Iraq by September 30, setting the stage of a range of developments, some certainly unforeseen as of now.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

The Mecca Pact and the Saudi-Gulf security dilemma 

The recent signing of a trilateral defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan marks a new development in the Middle East's security architecture, coming as Riyadh finds itself increasingly embroiled in conflict with Iran-aligned actors.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

Iraq’s disarming of Iran-backed militias: Deepening state capture or restoring sovereignty

As the end-of-September deadline for militia disarmament announced by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi draws near, questions linger regarding how his government will handle recalcitrant Iran-backed groups in what is set to be a major test of credibility.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

How Iraq can maximize Zaidi’s Washington visit

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's recent visit to Washington has created a valuable window of political goodwill between Iraq and the United States. The real test, however, begins after the visit. Success will not be measured by the number of agreements signed or promises made, but by whether Baghdad can translate this momentum into tangible outcomes.

Ali al-Mamouri

Opinion

PM Zaidi in Washington: Realistic hopes for a reset in Iraq-US relations

As Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi gears up for a high-profile meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, questions remain as to whether or not the premier's measures can loosen the vice-hold of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and smoothen the often fractious relationship with the US.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

Iraq’s anti-corruption campaign: Political spectacle or change of governance?

An effective anti-corruption campaign would require impartiality in both judicial and executive institutions. Otherwise, by selectively targeting certain individuals, the campaign will fail to remedy a structural and deep-rooted malaise.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

Barrack's Iraq portfolio: What it reveals about US Middle East policy

Barrack’s appointment has one important advantage for Iraqis: he is not just any envoy. He is an extraordinarily powerful diplomat, in direct personal contact with the President of the United States and other senior figures in Washington. In other words, he can get things done in Washington in a way no other envoy or ambassador to Iraq has.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion