The Sadrists’ Gamble: A Milestone Even if It Fails
The Sadrists have gone ‘all-in’, challenging the system & exposing its weaknesses. Unlikely to win outright but they have pushed Iraq to a new phase in its transition.
MoreThis year's Forum coincides with major political, security, economic and environmental crises that are likely to shape Iraq's future. The Forum will bring together policy-makers & opinion-leaders to debate high priority issues & offer solutions.
Inter-community dialogue: Summary report on the visit of the high-level Kurdish delegation, meeting Shiite political, social and academic leaders.
MERIThe Court decided on that the KRG’s export of oil is unconstitutional and its contracts illegal. What is the solution? Read more about this policy debate.
MERI“Italy has always supported Iraq at the most difficult moments”, said the Italian Ambassador to Iraq in a MERI policy debate. Summary report & policy recommendations.
MERIFull list of sessions and links to summary reports and full video recordings at MERI Forum 2021 are listed below.
MERIThis year’s Forum follows the Iraqi general elections, covid pandemic & a series of crises in the Middle East. The Forum created a perfect environment for an open, frank and constructive policy debate.
MERIThe Sadrists have gone ‘all-in’, challenging the system & exposing its weaknesses. Unlikely to win outright but they have pushed Iraq to a new phase in its transition.
Dlawer Ala’AldeenA policy debate with members of European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defence on EU-Iraq partnership: Peshmerga reform, the ISIS war and EU’s role in stabilisation
MERIThe US has a long and enduring strategic interest with Iraq and will partner with the Iraqis who want to establish a stable and strong democratic country”, said Amb. Tueller.
MERIAl-Sadir is playing to win, whatever the cost. The Sunnis won the first round. The Kurds have lost sight of the bigger picture & focused on internal rivalry. It is not too late to find a win-win outcome.
Dlawer Ala’AldeenThe policies and commitments of the US, Europeans & international coalition to stability in Iraq are debated.
MERIKey issues & challenges facing Iraq and the KRI were discussed with President Nechirvan Barzani, including the recent elections & the KRI’s international relations.
MERIIran and Turkey are important regional actors in the ME. Their strategies in Iraq and the region are discussed.
MERIDebating policies & long-term strategies of the US, Russia and France in Iraq’s neighbourhood.
MERIA policy debate with the KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, covering: the KRG government reform, freedom of expression, security & budgetary issues.
MERIThis policy report Identifies key weaknesses in the governing system, highlights the political barriers for progress; and offers policy recommendations to stakeholders.
Dlawer Ala’AldeenMERI Forum 2021 A Stable Iraq for a Stable Middle East This year’s Forum comes two weeks after the Iraqi general elections. In a positive and optimistic atmosphere, there are vibrant political activities ongoing to form a new government in Baghdad. It also comes two years after the eruption of Tishreen protest of expression of […]
MERI Forum 2021 Session 1: Iraq’s Changing Political Landscape: The Challenge of Forming a Strong Government and Making Iraq Work for All Ameer Al-Kinani, The Political Commission of the Sadrist Movement Jafar Eminki, Kurdistan Democratic Party Muzahim Al-Khayat, Newly Elected Member of Parliament, Taqadum Coalition Khalid Shwani, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Hiwa Othman, Journalist (Moderator) […]
MERI Forum 2021 S 2: Global Support for Stability and State-Building in Iraq: Challenges and Opportunities Matthew H. Tueller, US Ambassador to Iraq Martin Jaeger, German Ambassador to Iraq Ulric Shannon, Canadian Ambassador to Iraq Sarhang Hamasaeed, United States Institute of Peace, USA. Farhad Alaaldin, Chairman of Iraq Advisory Council (Moderator) For the summary report, […]
MERI Forum 2021 Session 3: Kurdistan Region in a Complex Neighbourhood Nechirvan Barzani, President of Kurdistan Region of Iraq Bilal Wahab, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (Moderator) For the summary report, click here.
MERI Forum 2021 Session 4: Regional Actors in Iraq’s Neighbourhood: Visions for Stabilisation and Forging a Workable Regional Order Ali Reza Guney, Turkey’s Ambassador to Iraq Seyed Kazim Sajjadpour, Advisor to the Foreign Minister and former Director of the Institute for Political & International Studies, Iran Kamaran Palani, The Middle East Research Institute (Moderator) For […]
MERI Forum 2021 Session 5: Global Actors in Iraq’s Neighbourhood: Policies & Long-Term Strategies Jennifer Gavito, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iran and Iraq, USA Elbrus Kutrashev, Russian Ambassador to Iraq Adil Bakawan, Director of the French Center for Research on Iraq (CFRI) Tanya Gilli-Khaylani, Former Member of Iraqi Parliament (Moderator) For the summary report, click here.
MERI Forum 2021 Session 6: The Role of the Banking Sector in the Economic Recovery Ammar Hamad Khalaf, Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Iraq Wadeea Al-Handhal, Chairman, Iraqi Private Banks League Hamela Gardi, President, Region Trade Bank for Investment and Finance Ahmed Tabaqcheli, Chief Strategist Asia Frontier Capital Iraq Fund Panel is in Arabic الجلسة السادسة: دور […]
MERI Forum 2021 Session 7: The KRG looking forward: Challenges, Opportunities and Long Term Strategies Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government Amberin Zaman, Journalist, Al Monitor, (Moderator) For the summary report, click here.
Speakers: Lukman Faily,Chief of staff to Iraqi Foreign Minister. Formerly, Iraqi Ambassador to US and Japan. Galip Dalay, Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy, Germany. Michael Knights, Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow, The Washington Institute, USA. Hassan Ahmadian, Associate Professor, University of Tehran, Iran. Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, President, Middle East Research Institute, Kurdistan, Iraq (Chair) […]
Events of the past few weeks, since the last US election, have lead many to speculate about possible changes in the Trump Administration’s policy in the Middle East. The security dynamics may get complicated, making it more difficult for President Elect Joe Biden to pick up the pieces. Speakers: Abdulaziz Sager, Founder & Chairman, Gulf Research […]