Won’t You Be My Neighbor: Syria, Iraq and the Changing Strategic Context in the Middle East

Iraq's neighbors are playing a major role—both positive and negative—in the stabilization and reconstruction of post-Saddam Iraq. In an effort to prevent conflict across Iraq's borders and in order to promote positive international and regional engagement, USIP has initiated high-level, non-official dialogue between foreign policy and national security figures from Iraq, its neighbors and the United States. The Institute’s "Iraq and its Neighbors" project has also convened a group of leading specialists on the geopolitics of the region to assess the interests and influence of the countries surrounding Iraq and to explain the impact of these transformed relationships on U.S. policy. The project has produced a series of in-depth research reports, as well as ongoing public forums and media commentary. The overall initiative has been directed by Dr. Scott Lasensky of the Institute’s Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention.