EPIC | Promoting a Free & Secure Iraq

Promoting a free and secure Iraq since 1998, EPIC impacts U.S. policy to address the root causes and humanitarian consequences of conflict in Iraq. We help connect and support organizations and individuals taking humanitarian action for peace in Iraq.

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EPIC statement on the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq

Hundreds of Iraqi teachers and government employees demonstrate outside Sulaymaniyah's Dept. of Education, protesting dismissals and other politically motivated retributions against opposition supporters. (EPIC Photo, Sulaymaniyah, IRAQ, Sept. 15, 2009)

Today the combat phase of the United States military's role in Iraq officially ends. Today also marks a new beginning in our nation's relationship with Iraq and its people. Tonight President Obama will mark the occasion with his third Presidential address to the nation.

Here at EPIC, we welcome the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq and the opportunity to turn a new page in U.S.-Iraq relations. But like you, we believe that it is very important how that new relationship is defined.

Risking Their Lives to Protect Human Rights in Iraq

Sometimes at great risk to themselves, Iraqi human rights defenders provide vital background information, contacts, and documentation of violations to the international community. their work elevates the issues the world would rather ignore: targeted attacks on minorities in Iraq, threats faced by journalists, and even torture.

In Part Two of Ground Truth Project interview with Samer Muscati, a human rights researcher, talks about the important work activists are doing to defend their fellow Iraqis.

From Our Blog

Iranians Planned Kidnapping And Held British Captives Taken In Iraq

On December 30, 2009 British computer technician Peter Moore was released from captivity by the Iranian backed League of the Righteous in return for the freeing of their leader, Qais Khazali. Moore and four British bodyguards, Alan McMenemy, Alec MacLachlan, Jason Swindlehurst, and Jason Creswell, were originally kidnapped from the Iraqi Finance Ministry building in downtown Baghdad on May 29, 2007.

Will New Oil Deals Provide Jobs For Iraqis?

Iraq recently completed the second round of bidding on its oil fields, which will hopefully usher in the return of international petroleum companies to Iraq that will bring in much needed investment and know how. This round went much better than the first with deals for seven of the ten fields up for auction.

United Nations Human Rights Report On Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) released its latest human rights report for Iraq covering the first half of 2009. The U.N. noted the decrease in violence in Iraq, but that there were still deaths everyday in the country. More importantly, it recorded continued institutional abuses in the justice system, and reminders of the old regime.

Oil Production Down in Nov. 09, But Exports Up

The latest numbers for Iraq’s oil industry are out, and they show that while production declined in November 2009, exports actually increased. Last month, Iraq produced an average of 2.36 million barrels a day of petroleum, while exporting 1.99 million barrels a day. In October Iraq produced an average of 2.50 million barrels, and exported 1.89 million barrels.

Iraq Still Has Problems Spending Its Money

The new Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction report to Congress was released at the end of October 2009. It notes that Iraq is still having problems spending its budget. By June 2009 50% of Iraq’s $58.6 billion budget had been released, but only $16.4 billion, 27.9%, had been spent as of that month. $1.6 billion of that was for capital projects that are investments in infrastructure and services.

U.S. Reconstruction Coming To An End

Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 the United States has promised the country $52.8 billion in reconstruction funds. That was the largest rebuilding effort in American history. Now this program is expected to end by 2014.

Electricity Output Reaches Post-Invasion High, But System Still Plagued By Problems

The Special Inspector for Iraq Reconstruction reported that for the fifth straight quarter Iraq’s average electricity supply increased from August to October 2009. For the 3rd quarter of 2009 Iraq produced 6,439 megawatts, a post-invasion high. That was a 10% increase from the 2nd quarter. In 2007 Iraq produced 4,488 megawatts, with 4,198 coming from the Ministry of Electricity, and 290 being imported.

2nd Round of Bidding On Iraq’s Oil Fields Ends As A Success

The second round of bidding on Iraq’s oil fields ended on December 12, 2009. It was much more successful than the first round that occurred in June 2009. That auction only produced one successful contract, although two more were negotiated afterward. This round garnered seven deals for the ten fields up for bid.

Is The Security Situation In Iraq Getting Worse?

Every time there is a massive, headline-grabbing bombing in Iraq, it sets off a wave of reports and commentaries in the West about how the security situation in the country is getting worse. The most recent such attack was on December 8, 2009 when four targets in Baghdad were assaulted resulting in 127 deaths and 448 wounded.

Iraq Lacks Will To Confront Corruption

Iraq continues to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. In its recent report, Transparency International ranked Iraq the fourth most corrupt nation out of 180, tied with Sudan. While Iraq’s anti-corruption agencies continue their work at the national and provincial level, the real problem is the lack of will and commitment by the country’s leaders to the fight.