As nearly one million people remain displaced from Mosul and its surroundings, a plan to reconcile differences and rebuild cooperatively is critical for breaking the cycle of violence in Iraq.
Our recent publications cover past lessons that may be useful in shaping Iraq’s future, actual plans for reconstructing Iraq’s most devastated areas, and thoughts on what comes next for Iraqi Kurdistan as the region prepares for a referendum on independence.
Here are a few of these recent pieces that may interest you:
- a trip report from Mosul, including a visit to one of the city’s most sacred sites just a few days after it was cleared of ISIS,
- a set of recommendations for the Trump administration on how the U.S. can help Iraq achieve a lasting peace,
- a podcast episode with Dr. Mustafa al-Hiti, President of the Reconstruction Fund for Areas Affected by Terrorist Operations, on how Iraq will restore and rebuild,
- an interview with Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on how security challenges prior to 2014 can inform the next course of action,
- a two-part series on environmental challenges in Iraq, including an analysis of the nation’s water emergency and agricultural shortcomings,
- interviews with the former Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Barham Salih and Soref Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Bilal Wahab on needed reforms and the impact of potential independence for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,
- a podcast episode with noted journalist and author Cathy Otten on the situation facing Yazidi families – particularly women and girls – in northern Iraq,
- mentions of our work on reconstruction policy in the Global Observatory, CDA Perspectives, Le Monde Diplomatique, and on BBC World News and BBC World Service, and, of course…
- our weekly ISHM reports released each Thursday, which provide a brief digest of the latest security, humanitarian, and political developments in Iraq.
And finally, as our friend and colleague Matthew Schweitzer leaves Washington to pursue graduate studies abroad, we are pleased that he will continue to work with us as our Research Fellow. He recently reflected on his past year with EPIC, and shared his optimism for Iraq’s future.
EPIC will continue in our efforts to enhance understanding, monitor the crisis, and provide relief as we work toward an Iraq free from the cycle of violence. Thank you for being a part of our community.
