Ideas
Iraq Is Spending $1 Billion To Build a New Parliament
Take a look at the plans for a new parliamentary building in Baghdad, designed by the well-known London-based, Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid. By Michael Siverberg
Ideas
Crowd-Sourcing the Future of Iraq
A scenario experiment points to the next phase of the new Mesopotamia. By Jeffrey Itell
Threats
'Iraq's Problems Cannot Be Solved By Robots' and Other Lessons in Humility
Most critics assume that the U.S. government and military have more power, skills and knowledge than what recent experience has repeatedly demonstrated. By Moisés Naím
Ideas
The U.S. Must Deny Russian Influence in Egypt
Washington can hit two birds with one stone by re-engaging Cairo: combat Moscow's influence and fight terrorism. By Melissa Hersh
Threats
Are the Saudis to Blame for Iraq?
U.S. lawmakers encouraged officials in Riyadh to arm Syrian rebels. Now that strategy may have created a monster in the Middle East. By Steve Clemons
Threats
The Last of Assad's Known Chemical Weapons Are Now Out of Syria
After multiple missed deadlines, some 1,300 tons of declared chemical weapons have finally been removed from the deeply troubled nation, but questions remain about whether that was really all of it. By Diane Barnes
Threats
A Political Solution to Iraq Crisis Won’t Come Easy
Secretary of State John Kerry is urging Iraq to create a new government – but that’s going to take time as ISIL fighters continue to advance. By Stephanie Gaskell
Ideas
Maliki Isn’t The Problem. Oil Is.
Oil states are almost always autocracies and rarely politically inclusive, and it’s easy to understand why. By Nora Bensahel
Ideas
Intimidation, Cronyism, Repression: The Unfortunate Legacy of Iraq's Nouri al-Maliki
Maliki’s personal history shaped his winner-take-all view of Iraqi politics. Years of bloody civil war followed immediately by the Arab Spring have only made matters worse. By Mohamad Bazzi
Threats
This Is Why Many of Iraq's Forces Dropped Their Weapons
Inside the rapid disintegration of a security force the U.S. spent more than $25 billion to build. By James Kitfield
Ideas
The Difficult and Probably Only Answer to Iraq and Syria's Problems
Former State and Defense Department official Leslie Gelb sees a way to counter the ISIL wedge that's prying Iraq and the region apart at its seams. It's not easy, but it just might be the most realistic way forward. Interview by Bernard Gwertzman
Ideas
The New Map of the Middle East
Seven years ago, I wrote it was time to redraw the post-World War I borders of the Middle East. ISIS is right, that map that has no future. By Jeffrey Goldberg
Threats
Chaos in Iraq's Oil Fields Is Shifting the World's Attention Back to Saudi Arabia
Gains made by marauding extremists in Iraq's north are already shaking up the global energy market. Here's what it could mean for Saudi Arabia's importance to the world. By Steve LeVine
Ideas
What Bosnia Can Tell Us About Iraq
Like in the Balkans, the U.S. should get Iraq’s warring sides to the table at all costs. By Nick Dowling
Ideas
Why the Persian Gulf Isn’t Ready for Joint Security
Stop pretending, U.S. partners in the Persian Gulf don’t trust each other or agree on Iran. By Bilal Y. Saab
Policy
There’s Little the U.S. Could Have Done for Iraq, Hagel and Dempsey Say
Despite pleas for action, military leaders say more intelligence is needed for the president to intervene in Iraq. By Kevin Baron and Molly O’Toole
Threats
Iraq Isn’t Ours To Save
The government in Baghdad is not an American friend, and action against ISIS will not advance U.S. interests. By David Frum
Threats
A Guide to ISIS, the Group That's Tearing Up Iraq
ISIS began its life as Al Qaeda in Iraq after the U.S. invasion, but have morphed into an extremely dangerous force. By Zachary Laub and Jonathan Masters
Threats
The Unraveling of Iraq
As militants vow to seize Baghdad, the country is facing a crisis that has been building for years. By Nicholas Slayton
Ideas