Iraq

Iraq and Its Neighbors

USIP convened a groundbreaking conference on Media and Conflict in Iraq in Istanbul May 14-16, 2008.  Read more

Iraq's neighbors are playing a major role—both positive and negative—in the stabilization and reconstruction of "the new 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 and the neighboring states. The Marmara Declaration, a blueprint for a regional peace process for Iraq, was the product of the Institute's most recent dialogue in Turkey.

Moreover, as part of the overall "Iraq and Its Neighbors" project, a group of leading specialists on the geopolitics of the region and on the domestic politics of the individual countries is assessing the interests and influence of the countries surrounding Iraq. In addition, these specialists are examining how the situation in Iraq and across its borders impacts U.S. bilateral relations with the neighbors.

The project has produced a series of in-depth research reports, as well as ongoing public forums and media commentary. The studies are available free-of-charge, and can be accessed below.

The "Iraq and Its Neighbors" project is directed by Scott Lasensky of USIP's Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention.

Special Reports

• Iraq and the Gulf States: The Balance of Fear
  August 2007 | Jon B. Alterman
• Jordan and Iraq: Between Cooperation and Crisis
  December 2006 | Scott Lasensky
• Saudi Arabia and Iraq: Oil, Religion, and an Enduring Rivalry
  January 2006 | Joseph McMillan
• Iran and Iraq: The Shia Connection, Soft Power, and the Nuclear Factor
  November 2005 | Geoffrey Kemp
• Turkey and Iraq: The Perils (and Prospects) of Proximity
  July 2005 | Henri J. Barkey

An upcoming report will focus on:

• Syria and Iraq
  Steve Simon, Council on Foreign Relations

Other Related Materials:

• Make Sharm el-Sheikh the Turning Point for Region
  Op-Ed on Post Global by by Yasar Yakis, Ghassan al-Atiyyah, Khalid al-Dakhil and Scott Lasensky, May 1, 2007
• Marmara Declaration
  High-level policymakers and civil society leaders from Iraq and its six neighboring countries met in Istanbul and released the 36-point "Marmara Declaration" on a regional peace process for Iraq. (March 23, 2007)
• Talks Open Doors for Iraq and Its Neighbors
  NPR interviews Scott Lasensky on March 11, 2007, on the Bush administration's move toward conducting talks with Iran and Syria, and what these talks mean for Iraq and its neighbors.
• Iraq, its Neighbors, and the U.S. - Research and Experts Available to Journalists
  News Release, March 1, 2007
• Iraq Turmoil Makes Neighbors Nervous
  NPR interviews Scott Lasensky on October 29, 2006, on why Iraq's neighboring countries have a stake in Iraq's conflict.
• Jordan's Role in Iraq is Modest, but Positive
  Op-Ed in the Daily Star by Scott Lasensky, December 19, 2005
• An Opening at Sharm el-Sheikh
  Op-Ed in the Daily Star by Scott Lasensky and Phebe Marr, November 20, 2004
• Iraq and Its Neighbors: Implications for U.S. Policy Background Memos
  by Henri Barkey, Phebe Marr, Geoffrey Kemp, Scott Lasensky, and Joseph McMillan, November 17, 2004
• Iraq and Its Neighbors: A Regional Architecture is Needed
  USIPeace Briefing by Matthew Crane and Daniel Serwer, February 26, 2004
• Iraq's Neighbors: Help or Hindrance? The Missing Dimension of Iraqi Reconstruction
  Newsbyte by Ylber Bajraktari, Daniel Serwer and Tamara Cofman Wittes, July 30, 2003