Militia

Between Iraq and a Hard Place

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, only two months into his term, has a busy month of foreign engagements. In early July, he received the body of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei which was visiting Iraq’s...

Iraq’s Proxy Problem

As Kurdistan Region seeks drone defenses, Rubio warns Iraq about Iran proxies

Iraq is working to shore up the economic stability and security of the Kurdistan Region in the wake of months of drone and missile attacks. More than 800 attacks, many assumed to have originated...

Washington Wants a Relationship With Iraq Focused On Business, but Security Can’t Be Ignored

Amid a tense regional situation, Iraq’s new government is engaged in a high-stakes balancing act. Tom Barrack, the U.S. special presidential envoy for Iraq and Syria, met with Iraq’s new prime minister,...

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi meets US envoy amid militia pressure

US Envoy to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi on June 15 to discuss strengthening ties between Baghdad and Washington. The meeting comes as the US continues...

Iraq’s prime minister prepares US visit amid Iran threats and militia focus

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is preparing for an upcoming trip to Washington, DC, Iraqi media outlets recently reported. The prime minister has been working since his May appointment...

Iraq Moves to Disarm Iranian Militias While Hezbollah Gets a Pass

Recent moves by Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali expose a growing inconsistency in U.S. policy toward Iranian-backed armed groups in Iraq and Lebanon.

Voluntary Militia Disarmament in Iraq Sounds Too Good to Be True, and It Likely Is

Promises from Iran-backed militias in Iraq can never be taken at face value. Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), an Iran-backed militia in Iraq designated by Washington as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)...

Muqtada al Sadr announces integration of his militia into the Iraqi state

On May 27, Muqtada al Sadr, the well-known Iraqi Shiite cleric and popular leader, announced the dissolution of his militia, Saraya al Salam (the Peace Brigades). “It has become necessary for...

Iraq Forms a New Government Without Resolving Cabinet Role of Iran-Backed Militias

After six months of internal discord against the background of competing foreign interests, Iraq has formed its new government, ending the stasis that followed the November 2025 election. Prime Minister...

Iran’s War on Iraq’s Oil Industry

Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have been attacking the country’s oil sector while the world’s attention focuses on the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. carries out strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq

The U.S. military struck three “facilities” run by the Iran-backed Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq in response to militia attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, including a ballistic missile attack over...

Profiles of 15 Iranian-backed Militias in the Middle East

Shiite Terrorist Groups in Syria Attack U.S. Forces

Iran-backed Shiite militias attacked U.S. forces in eastern Syria with armed drones on October 18. The assault follows drone attacks on two coalition bases the day before. The Associated...

U.S. Deploys F-22s to Syria to Deter ‘Unprofessional Behavior’ by Russia

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on June 14 the deployment of advanced fighter jets, F-22 Raptors, to the Middle East to deter dangerous and provocative behavior by Russian aircraft in the...

Iran-backed Militias Target U.S. Troops in Eastern Syria

U.S. officials blame Iran-backed groups for targeting a facility housing U.S. military personnel near Hasakah in northeast Syria on Thursday. The attack killed one American contractor and wounded several...

Iran-Backed Militias in Baghdad Present a Test for Biden

How will the administration respond to the murder of an American citizen?

Iran Is More Than Persia

Ethnic Politics in the Islamic Republic

Iraq