Washington is relying on local forces to carry out ground operations following airstrikes against ISIS, but disunity within the Kurdish ranks may hamper their ability to defeat the insurgents. Iraqi Kurdistan is gaining in importance by the day as a launchpad for military operations against the "Islamic State." The US military and CIA are expanding their pre-existing facilitie
Read MoreInternational Journal of Contemporary Iraqi Studies. Volume 8, Issue 2-3, September 2014 Contents Sociology in Iraq: The centennial celebration of Ali al-Wardi Authors: Tareq Y. Ismael And Jacqueline S. Ismael Page Start: 97 ‘Alī Al-Wardī, ‘Texas sociologist’? Authors: Elizabeth Bishop Page Start: 103 Iraq today in the thoughts of al-Wardi: The rule of the preachers Au
Read MoreAbstract Based on Ali al-Wardi’s theoretical innovations, the article investigates the relatively new phenomena of the rentier state and society in Iraq as well as the ongoing political conflict between the different social groups and confessions as a battle about economic and financial resources related to the oil economy and to rent seeking. The discourse also highlights the
Read More(CNN) -- Luay al-Khatteeb has spoken to CNN previously about the impact of ISIS' march through northern Iraq, and the militant group's control of some oil fields. The crisis has escalated, and CNN has revisited the conversation to find out how Iraq could crack down on ISIS' oil riches under the guidance of its new oil minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi. This is al-Khatteeb's analysis o
Read MoreSecurity instability and the increasing number of terror victims in Iraq have pushed Iraqi intellectuals to take on new and unfamiliar roles. They have entered the political scene by organizing campaigns, cultural and social events to promote several objectives, gaining the support of citizens all over Iraq. Within a few months, the Iraqi public had started participating in the
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