Iraq Crisis Brief: Iranian Proxies Expand Efforts to Oust US Forces from Iraq
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
Iran’s proxy network in Iraq has escalated rocket attacks, stood up at least four new Shi’a militia groups, and diversified its targets and methods of attack. These efforts aim to wear down US forces and eventually compel their withdrawal from Iraq. In this episode of Overwatch, Middle East Security Program Manager Nicholas Heras and Iraq Research Assistant Katherine Lawlor discuss Iran’s ongoing campaign to shape Iraq into a state that serves Iran’s geopolitical interests.
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Iraq Crisis Brief: Iranian Proxies Escalate Against U.S. in Iraq
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
ISW Middle East Portfolio Manager Nicholas Heras joins Iraq Team Analysts Katherine Lawlor and Brandon Wallace to discuss the ongoing escalation of violence by Iranian proxy groups. Even after the assassinations of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, these proxy groups have maintained pressure on US forces in Iraq by cooperating and coordinating with each other.
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Iraq Crisis Brief: What You Need to Know Following the Death of Iranian IRGC Quds Force Commander Soleimani
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
The U.S. killed Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike on 03 JAN. This follows a proxy attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, the killing of an American contractor, and a months-long escalation in rocket attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq and across the Middle East. Iran experts Nicholas Carl and Kyra Rauschenbach of AEI’s Critical Threats Project and Iraq experts Brandon Wallace and Katherine Lawlor of ISW brief what you need to know to make sense of the coming news cycle.
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Iraq Crisis Brief: Proxy Violence and Political Stagnation Follow the Resignation of Iraq's Prime Minister
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
Iraq's PM resigned on November 29 following renewed violence against protesters and loss of religious support. Political elites have failed to achieve consensus on a new PM or electoral reforms,. Meanwhile, Iran's proxies in Iraq continue to attack protesters, Sadr and his supporters, and the U.S.-led Coalition to drive political action in Iran's favor. ISW's experts Katherine Lawlor and Brandon Wallace brief their observations of the political and proxy conflicts and what they expect moving forward.
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Syria Crisis Brief: Outcome of Trump-Erdogan Meeting Amidst Continued Fighting in Syria
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Turkey's ongoing offensive in Northeastern Syria on November 13th. The meeting occurred as fighting continues in Eastern Syria. ISW Syria expert John Dunford discusses the events in Syria and abroad that shaped the two presidents' conversation and its subsequent outcome.
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Iraq Crisis Brief: Iraqi Protests Grow After Iran Intervenes to Prevent the Prime Minister's Ouster
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
Protests in Iraq have continued to grow after resuming on October 25th. Iranian proxy leader Hadi al Ameri reversed his position on the ousting of the Iraqi prime minister under the direction the Iranian IRGC Quds Force commander. This direct intervention by Iran signals the potential for a more violent Iranian crackdown against Iraqi protesters. ISW Research Director Jennifer Cafarella discusses three possible trajectories for Iraq's future. *Originally published November 7, 2019.
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Syria Crisis Brief: Russo-Turkish Agreement in Eastern Syria Breaks Down as U.S. Forces Return
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
The deadline to implement the first phase of the Russo-Turkish deal for Northeast Syria passed without significant progress after Kurdish forces refused to withdraw from the border. A new contingent of US forces deployed to southeast Syria to secure oil fields. US forces also patrolled a Kurdish area, indicating a continued relationship with the SDF. ISW Research Director Jennifer Cafarella and Syria expert John Dunford explain these details and discuss what to expect next. *Published November 1, 2019.
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Iraq Crisis Brief: The Ouster of Iraq's Prime Minister Looks Imminent
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
Rumors of an imminent resignation of the Iraqi prime minister emerges after nationalist Shi'a cleric Muqtada al Sadr made a dramatic return to Iraq and joined escalating protests in Najaf. He and Iranian proxy leader Hadi Al Ameri each released statements pledging to hold a no-confidence vote against the prime minister in the Iraqi parliament. ISW Research Director Jennifer Cafarella discusses the political stakes and possibilities. *Originally published October 29, 2019.
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Iraq Crisis Brief: Mass Protests Resume in Iraq
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
Protests resumed in Baghdad and across the provinces in southern Iraq despite the Iraqi government's attempts to de-escalate through concessions and limited reforms. Protesters torched political offices and media headquarters, chanting slogans against both the Iraqi government and Iran's proxies in Iraq. One Iranian proxy militia reportedly used live fire against protesters. ISW's Research Director Jennifer Cafarella and Iraq expert Samantha Leathley discuss the escalation. *Published October 25, 2019.
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Syria Crisis Brief: Significance of the Turkey-Russia Meeting on Syria
Overwatch: Crisis Brief
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met to coordinate military movements in Northern Syria. The two presidents reached an initial agreement intended to push Kurdish forces away from the Turkey-Syria border region over the coming days. ISW Syria expert John Dunford discusses what is known about the new deal and how it will effect Turkish and Russian actions in Syria moving forward. *Originally published October 23, 2019.
info_outlineThis update addresses the political dynamics that have lead to recent mass protests against the Iraqi government. ISW's Research Director Jennifer Cafarella zooms out to discuss how key actors, domestic political competition, and Iranian influence over the last several years has shaped the current crisis. *Originally published October 3, 2019.