Archive for the ‘Blog post’ Category

The Importance of the Battle for Tikrit

March 8th, 2015 by Samuel Morris

As the much publicised attack on Tikrit is underway, it is important to look at the deeper significance of such an operation. Beyond regaining lost territory, the battle for Tikrit will play a defining role in the coming year for Iraq.

Whilst the war against ISIS continues to dictate priorities for policy-makers in the Middle East, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq maintains its commitment to democratization and nation-building. In spite of the political will for reforms, the heavy burden of war and its consequences have, nonetheless, crippled necessary reform processes. Hosting 1.5 million IDPs and insufficient […]

Iraq’s federal budget: some insights

February 4th, 2015 by Roger Guiu

The final budget of around $100 billion went through several revisions in order to make compatible a higher expense, required to combat ISIS as well as provide humanitarian assistance, with a lower revenue due to decreasing oil prices.

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As Battles Rage in Kirkuk, Political Solutions are Needed

February 1st, 2015 by Samuel Morris

There has been a steady growth in the fear of Islamic State ‘sleeper cells’ in the city, which has only been exacerbated by the flood of IDPs into the city. This, in turn, has led to the Sunni population fearing persecution at the hands of Kurds.

Instead of direct peace-building initiatives that may actually add more fuel to the fire due to the volatile situation, the humanitarian community seems to be rightly prioritising social cohesion between stayees and returnees through an indirect approach.

Coalition Forces Clash with Islamic State Fighters

January 20th, 2015 by Samuel Morris

This event raises the questions, what is the role of Coalition ground forces? Will this signal a new chapter in the way that Islamic State is combatted? Will there be a change in policy to international troop deployment?

The deal puts a novel fiscal architecture in place by providing for an asymmetrical revenue-sharing system in Iraq. It can become the main dividing line between KRG, Baghdad and Iraq’s governorates in the future.

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Elections in Tunisia: Stability in an Unstable Middle East

November 10th, 2014 by Farhan Siddiqi

The Arab Spring brought a wave of change to the Middle East. Where others have failed, Tunisia has placed itself on the path towards democracy.

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Turkey must review its policies in Middle East. Dialogue and reconciliation is the best first step to reverse the current trend of ever spiraling violence

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Countering ISIS: Predicaments and Prospects

October 22nd, 2014 by Farhan Siddiqi

Stymied by internal divisions, the Coalition needs to prioritize ISIS as the biggest threat facing the Middle East