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

Almost Half Of Iraqis Live In Slum Conditions

The United Nations Habitat for a Better Future project just released a fact sheet on the housing conditions in Iraq. It found that 40% of Iraqis live in slum conditions.

Low Level Violence Persists in Anbar

Anbar was once the center of the Sunni insurgency. After the Awakening movement and the Surge however, violence there dropped dramatically. Every time there’s a mass casualty bombing in the province however, there are concerns that militants are making a comeback. The latest incident was an October 11, 2009 attack on the provincial council building in Ramadi, which ended up killing 23, and wounding 65, while members of the National Reconciliation Committee were meeting with local Anbar officials.

Terror and Resilience in Baghdad

Today, we're learning the toll from this weekend's bombings in Baghdad has risen to over 150. An extremist group allied to Al Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Baghdad Bombing Follows Trend In Violence In Iraq

Sunday’s devastating bombing on the Justice and Municipalities Ministries, and the Baghdad provincial council building in the capital follows the current trend in Iraqi violence. Since April 2009, the number of deaths has fluctuated up and down each month.

Ruling Kurdish Parties Try To Co-Opt And Intimidate Opposition

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) July 2009 parliamentary elections were touted as a sea change in Kurdish politics. For the first time, the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of KRG President Massoud Barzani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani faced a real challenge from the new Change List headed by the co-founder of the PUK Nishurwan Mustafa.

Iraq Ministry Counts 85,000 Dead From 2004-Oct. 2008

Iraq’s Human Rights Ministry recently released a report on the situation in Iraq. Part of it included casualty figures for 2004 to October 2008. The Ministry counted 85,694 civilians and security force members killed, and 147,195 people wounded. Those figures are very close to the two other organizations that have kept count of deaths in Iraq for that time period.

Inflation Worries Return For Iraq

The latest statistics for Iraq show that core inflation is creeping back up in the country. Since early 2008 core inflation, that which excludes fuel, electricity, communication, and transport costs, has dropped in Iraq from 15.9% in April to 3.8% in April 2009. Since then however, it has crept back up to 10.8% in August.

The Islamist Side Of Maliki’s Dawa Party

One of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s main appeals today in Iraq is his secular stance, something he is running on for the 2010 elections. Despite his Dawa Party’s Islamist roots, Maliki has largely discarded that past history to run on things like security, services, and Iraqi nationalism.

Iraq’s Oil Exports Continue To Rise And Fall

The October 7, 2009 State Department Iraq Status Report, found that while Iraq’s oil production has continued to increase since the beginning of the year, its exports took a dip over the last two months. 2008 saw the highest average monthly oil production since the U.S. invasion. For that year, Iraq produced an average of 2.41 million barrels per day, and exported 1.84 million barrels.

Iraqi National Census Returns

In the summer of 2009 Iraq announced that it would have its first national census since 1987. The date was set for October 24, 2009, but the government was afraid that it would cause tensions in provinces like Tamim and Ninewa where there are disputed territories. In those areas, the make up of the population is a major point of contention. Whoever has the largest numbers has an immediate advantage in its claims for control. This led to a delay in the poll.