On December 1, 2020 IRIS held a webinar entitled "Iraq-EU Relations: Stabilisation, Reconstruction & Security" Speakers Ambassador Martin Huth EU Ambassador to Iraq Ambassador Michel Rentenaar Netherlands Ambassador to Iraq Hafsa Halawa Non-Resident Scholar, Middle East Institute Kawa Hassan Vice President MENA Program, Eastwest Institute Watch the full-session here... Read More

On October 26, 2020 IRIS held a webinar entitled “ Iraq-US Relations Under Trump or Biden Administrations” . The discussion focused on uncertainties in the bilateral relationship and how the two countries might move forward under either a Trump or Biden administration. Speakers: Ambassador Barbara A. Leaf Ruth and Sid... Read More

On September 30th, 2020 IRIS held a webinar entitled "Iraq-Turkey Relations Amidst Regional Tensions”. The discussion focused on how domestic concerns and foreign policy objectives impact ties between the two countries in light of broader regional tensions. Speakers Henri J. Barkey Cohen Professor of International Relations, Lehigh University Gönül Tol... Read More

On July 13, 2020 IRIS held a webinar entitled "Will Iraq Hold Early Elections? Reform at the Ballot Box”. The discussions focused on Iraq’s parliament recently passed electoral reforms and its implications. Speakers Dr. Hussein Hindawi Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq Ashleigh Whelan International Republican Institute (IRI) Resident... Read More

On June 17, 2020 IRIS held a webinar entitled "Accountability after Iraq’s Protests: The Path Forward to Address Violence and Human Rights Violations.” The discussions focused on measures to address human rights violations during the 2019/2020 Iraqi protests, and possible implications for the new government. Speakers Akeel Abbas Advisor to... Read More

On May 21, 2020 IRIS held a webinar entitled “Erbil-Baghdad Budget Crisis: Political and Economic Implications for the Kurdish Region” Speakers Hemin Hawrami Member of KDP Leadership Council and Deputy Speaker of the Kurdistan Region Parliament Maria Fantappie Center for Humanitarian Dialogue Special Adviser for MENA Hiwa Osman Political Analyst,... Read More

On April 30 th , 2020 IRIS held a webina r entitled “Iraq's Electricity Challenges: US Sanctions, Iran, and the Future of Energy”. The discussion focused on plausible ways to close the gap between electricity supply and demand in Iraq, Iraq’s dependency on Iranian imports, the impact of US Sanctions,... Read More

On April 20, 2020, IRIS held a webinar entitled Iraq’s Economy: Spotlight on Oil and Gas . The discussion focused on Iraq's economy amidst falling oil prices and additional pressures from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers Ahmed Tabaqchali IRIS Senior Fellow Samya Kullab Iraq Correspondent for Associated... Read More

On February 27, 2020 IRIS hosted Dr Nawroz Saeed, the Manager of the response to Coronavirus in Sulaimani Province, for an interview and discussion. Saeed spoke about the challenge that the outbreak poses for local & regional health policy. Key Takeaways: 1) The heightened concern about Coronavirus in Sulaimani Province... Read More

On February 17, 2020, IRIS hosted a policy roundtable discussion with Joshua Stacey of Social Inquiry. Mr. Stacy presented data from a report conducted by IOM and Social Inquiry entitled “When Affordability Matters: The Political Economy and Economic Decision Making of Iraqi IDPs.” The report highlights the diverse socio-economic factors... Read More