Iraq

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The Current Situation

The overall security situation in Iraq has improved dramatically over the past two years as violence has fallen to levels not seen since the first months of the war. Moreover, political space has opened: 2009 provincial elections, though imperfect, were largely viewed as free and fair, incumbents were turned out, and a broad range of parties participated. In the run-up to January 2010 national elections, sectarian political mobilization on the scale experienced during and after the 2005 round has yet to materialize, despite grave concerns over the capacity of Iraqi forces to maintain security in the wake of U.S. withdrawal.

Take a more in depth look at the current situation in Iraq. [2]

The Baghdad Office

Since 2004, USIP has maintained a permanent field mission in Iraq, with an outstanding Iraqi and American staff who provide essential on-the-ground support to USIP’s programs.

• Read about the Institute's latest news in Baghdad [3].
• Meet our Baghdad Chief of Party, Misty Cary [4].
• Caelan McGee [5] works daily throughout Iraq training others in conflict mediation. Read [6] his account of a typical day in Baghdad.
• Learn how Theo Dolan [7] is working on Next Generation Peacebuilding in Iraq [8].

Going Forward: USIP Goals in Iraq

USIP experts in Baghdad and Washington are working diligently toward peace and stability by implementing projects aimed at:

• Promoting reconciliation and moderation [9]
• Strengthening governance and civil society [10]
• Giving the next generation a stake in peace and stability [11]

[12]Multimedia

Watch, listen and learn as USIP experts and events address issues facing Iraq:

• Watch [12] Matt Levinger discuss the Obama administration’s policy toward Iraq and how the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine could be invoked to help prevent violence in northern Iraq. 
• Watch and listen [13] to Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki's speech at an exclusive event at USIP in July 2009.
• Watch [14] Sam Parker discuss U.S. – Iraqi relations.

Get Involved with USIP

• Take a trip to the Newsroom [15] to get the latest information on USIP news and publications.
• Search [16] for upcoming public events at USIP.
• Learn [17] about past USIP public events.