As Iraq continues to face widespread demonstrations and the fallout of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, Iraq’s President Barham Salih nominated a new prime minister on February 1, to succeed Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, who announced his resignation on November 29. Salih named Mohammed Tawfik Allawi as his designee for the premiership. Salih has set a
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A new proxy war is brewing in the Middle East, and its consequences may be bigger than those in Yemen, Libya and Syria Any reader of these columns is familiar with the landscape - an intergalactic Star Wars struggle between three blocks of regional powers, as the US retreats in disarray. The struggle for power is played out in one sandbox after another - fir
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This study by IOM Iraq, Returns Working Group (RWG), and Social Inquiry delves into the various issues and challenges that IDPs consider when assessing the affordability of return, and accordingly, the calculations they make when considering whether or not to remain in displacement. According to the report findings, affordability is less an economic calculation tha
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Iraq is facing serious unrest that is likely to force limited reforms in the political system but not wholesale change. The current Iraqi power structure, with Iranian support, will use a mix of repression, cooptation, and limited concessions to weaken the opposition. The opposition’s lack of clear leadership makes such tactics more likely to succeed. The U.S. position in Iraq
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The contemporary displacement landscape in Iraq is both problematic and unique. Minorities originating from the so called ‘Disputed Territories’ and perceived ISIS-affiliates represent two of the most vulnerable groups of IDPs in Iraq. The authorities currently have a real opportunity to set a positive precedent for IDP protection by formulating pragmatic durable solutions whic
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