Middle East and North Africa

Iraq

  • Iraq
    Iraq Outlook Improves But Sustained U.S. Military Presence Remains Essential
    diyaCFR military expert Stephen Biddle sees improvements in Iraqi security forces but worries about an erosion in stability if the U.S. military presence is sharply reduced.
    Interview with Stephen Biddle and Bernard Gwertzman June 10, 2008
  • Iraq
    Mustard Gas
    A profile of the chemical agent mustard gas.
    Backgrounder May 28, 2008
  • Iraq
    Muqtada al-Sadr
    The anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, virtually unknown before the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s government, has leveraged his family name to become one of the most influential Shiite leaders in modern-day Iraq.
    Backgrounder by Greg Bruno May 16, 2008
  • Intelligence
    National Intelligence Estimates
    The history, rationale, and limitations of the National Intelligence Estimate, the U.S. intelligence community’s most authoritative and coordinated written assessment of national security issues.
    Backgrounder by Greg Bruno and Sharon Otterman May 14, 2008
  • Iraq
    Finding a Place for the ‘Sons of Iraq’
    The Sunni awakening movement and the Sons of Iraq security forces it inspired helped restore peace. Iraq’s long-term stability could hinge on keeping the movement satiated, experts say.
    Backgrounder by Greg Bruno April 23, 2008
  • Iraq
    Education for Children of Conflict Roundtable Series: Iraq, Education, and Children of Conflict
    Play
    Due to war and sectarian violence, many Iraqis have fled their homes and are now living as refugees in neighboring countries or as internally displaced persons in Iraq. Children make up about half of the four million people uprooted from their homes, and there is no doubt that their education is falling through the cracks. The World Bank's Safaa El-Kogali, who recently met with the Iraqi Minister of Education, the Director General of Planning, and other senior officials, is working with the government on capacity-building initiatives to meet the needs of internally displaced children. George Rupp, President of the International Rescue Committee, recently returned from a trip to the region, where he met with top government officials from Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and the United States, as well as with Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan. Angelina Jolie traveled to Iraq in February to learn more about the situation of displaced children and to raise awareness about their humanitarian needs.Transcript: Iraq, Education, and Children of ConflictVideo Highlights: Iraq, Education, and Children of Conflict
    Event with Gene B. Sperling April 8, 2008
  • Iraq
    Iraq, Education, and Children of Conflict
    Play
    Watch experts discuss issues surrounding the education of children of conflict, specifically with regard to the current situation in Iraq.
    Event April 8, 2008
  • Iraq
    Stabilizing Iraq from the Bottom Up
    Testimony by Stephen Biddle April 2, 2008
  • Iraq
    The Preparedness of Iraqi Security Forces
    Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi security personnel have received U.S.-led counterinsurgency training. But big questions remain over their readiness to replace U.S. forces.
    Backgrounder by Greg Bruno March 27, 2008