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Munqith Dagher over the course of two years, I conducted a study in Iraq focusing on extremism and why young Iraqis join ISIS. Along with four American scholars specialized in the psychology of terrorism, political science, and social networks, we based our work (to be published later this year) on interviews with fifty ISIS members … Continue reading Manufacturing Extremism in Iraq: ISIS, the Sarkhi Movement, and Popular Discontent

Munqith Dagher Upending all sorts of expectations, the elections in Iraq last Sunday were truly Iraqi elections: the Iraqi electorate punished candidates whose loyalties clearly might not lie solely with Iraq. Just as I and other Iraqis know that it is Iraqis—and young Iraqis in particular—who must demand change, I also know that change will … Continue reading Iraq’s Purple Coup: A Truly Iraqi Electoral Surprise, Par Excellence

Munqith Dagher For years, the Supreme Marja’iyya of Najaf has been attempting to distance itself from politics amid the sense of failure and frustration that has afflicted the Iraqi people in general, and its followers in particular, due to the disastrous political process it “sponsored” immediately after 2003. Now, however, it looks to be reassuming … Continue reading The Holy Shrine Units’ Announcement Will Change the Rules of the Game in Iraq

Click below to download article https://munqithdagher.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/sqab0021.pdf Source: https://academic.oup.com/isq/article/65/3/798/6121613

Two years after massive protests erupted in Iraq, early parliamentary elections will be held in October. Although the elections were one of the demands of the demonstrators, they are likely to be boycotted by these same activists as well as a large part of the Iraqi electorate. Yet, formal and informal coalitions have registered to … Continue reading Iraq’s October Elections: A Game Changer or More of the Same? Webinar

by Munqith Dagher, Karl Kaltenthaler The Kadhimi government must move quickly if it wants to avoid a potential popular uprising among dissatisfied Shias in Iraq. According to the Al Mustakilla Research Group (IIACSS)/Gallup International Iraq recent Opinion Thermometer (IOT) poll conducted in April 2021, Iraqi Shia are showing particularly high rates of dissatisfaction, distrust, and … Continue reading As Polls Show Increasing Dissatisfaction, will Young Shias Turn the Tables on Iraq’s Political System?

Forging a stable strategic partnership with Iraq is one of the most critical and time sensitive security issues the Biden administration faces in the Middle East and the Gulf. There have been a number of U.S. commentaries and proposals for dealing with this challenge, but few are Iraqi analyses and presentations of possible options. The … Continue reading The U.S.-Iraqi Relationship: A Healthier Partnership is Indispensable

Also available in العربية Muniqth Dagher Dr. Munqith Dagher is MENA director and a board member of Gallup International. November 13, 2020 Opinions in the Middle East split once again over the recent U.S. presidential elections. Those who supported President Trump believe that a second term would have meant less Iranian influence in the region … Continue reading Biden’s Middle East Policy in his Own Words: Understanding the New Administration’s Priorities