Episodes
The nonviolent struggle for democratic reforms in Iraq is now well into its fifth month of sustained protests against the government. We talk with Hayder Hamzoz, founder of INSM (Iraqi Network for Social Media), a network of Iraqi bloggers and citizens journalists. Hayder shares his perspective on how the protests work and the critical role that social media activists are playing on both the physical and digital front lines of Iraq's protest movement.
Published 02/28/20
Published 02/28/20
When you think of Iraq, more than likely your thoughts turn to the country's troubles since 2003. However, the roots of those events trace back to one of the region's most consequential wars of the 20th Century. Thirty-nine years ago this week, Iraqi forces invaded Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province, starting the Iran-Iraq war. The conflict saw the region's first use of weapons of mass destruction, an escalation of proxy warfare, a genocide against the Kurds, and the beginning of...
Published 09/25/19
When you think of Iraq, more than likely your thoughts turn to the country's troubles since 2003. However, the roots of those events trace back to one of the region's most consequential wars of the 20th Century. Thirty-nine years ago this week, Iraqi forces invaded Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province, starting the Iran-Iraq war. The conflict saw the region's first use of weapons of mass destruction, an escalation of proxy warfare, a genocide against the Kurds, and the beginning of...
Published 09/25/19
On this edition of IRAQ MATTERS, Basma Alloush of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) discusses Basra’s water crisis and the implications for the province's 4.5 million residents and for the rest of Iraq. With growing frustrations fueling ongoing protests and unrest, why does Basra matter and what can be done before it is too late?
Published 12/11/18
On this edition of IRAQ MATTERS, Basma Alloush of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) discusses Basra’s water crisis and the implications for the province's 4.5 million residents and for the rest of Iraq. With growing frustrations fueling ongoing protests and unrest, why does Basra matter and what can be done before it is too late?
Published 12/11/18
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Rasha Al-Aqeedi, a native of Mosul and an acclaimed Iraq analyst, discusses Mosul's 3 years under ISIS, ongoing challenges to the city's security and recovery, the role of young people and civil society in the fight against intolerance, and Ninewa's central importance for enabling peace in Iraq.
Published 12/04/18
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Rasha Al-Aqeedi, a native of Mosul and an acclaimed Iraq analyst, discusses Mosul's 3 years under ISIS, ongoing challenges to the city's security and recovery, the role of young people and civil society in the fight against intolerance, and Ninewa's central importance for enabling peace in Iraq.
Published 12/04/18
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Stuart Bowen examines the lessons learned during his ten years as Special Inspector-General for Iraq Reconstruction and how those lessons should be applied to the next phase in Iraq's post-ISIS recovery.
Published 01/19/18
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Stuart Bowen examines the lessons learned during his ten years as Special Inspector-General for Iraq Reconstruction and how those lessons should be applied to the next phase in Iraq's post-ISIS recovery.
Published 01/19/18
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Iraqi Kurdistan expert Bilal Wahab explains the implications of the September 25 referendum and answers crucial questions on what comes next for the region.
Published 11/22/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Iraqi Kurdistan expert Bilal Wahab explains the implications of the September 25 referendum and answers crucial questions on what comes next for the region.
Published 11/22/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, noted British writer and journalist Cathy Otten explains the situation facing Yazidi families - particularly women and girls - as ISIS is driven out of their homeland in northern Iraq.
Published 08/10/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, noted British writer and journalist Cathy Otten explains the situation facing Yazidi families - particularly women and girls - as ISIS is driven out of their homeland in northern Iraq.
Published 08/10/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, President of Iraq's Reconstruction Fund, Dr. Mustafa al-Hiti, explains the stark needs facing Iraq after ISIS, and the steps underway to rebuild his country's future.
Published 07/10/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, President of Iraq's Reconstruction Fund, Dr. Mustafa al-Hiti, explains the stark needs facing Iraq after ISIS, and the steps underway to rebuild his country's future.
Published 07/10/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Moussa al-Naseri, a Baghdad native and witness to the 2007 Mutanabbi Street bombing, and Sarah Browning, renowned poet and peace advocate, commemorate Baghdad's rich history of poetry and literature and examine how those art forms can be used in reconciliation.
Published 03/01/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Moussa al-Naseri, a Baghdad native and witness to the 2007 Mutanabbi Street bombing, and Sarah Browning, renowned poet and peace advocate, commemorate Baghdad's rich history of poetry and literature and examine how those art forms can be used in reconciliation.
Published 03/01/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Jen Smyers of Church World Service discusses the history of the US refugee resettlement program, explains the process by which refugees are vetted, and outlines why that vetting process might be of concern
Published 02/10/17
On this edition of Iraq Matters, Jen Smyers of Church World Service discusses the history of the US refugee resettlement program, explains the process by which refugees are vetted, and outlines why that vetting process might be of concern
Published 02/10/17
Global attention is focused on military operations to clear ISIS from the city of Mosul - and on the humanitarian impact that the operations will undoubtedly have. But how can this impending crisis be mitigated while not losing sight of the millions of displaced Iraqis elsewhere in the country? Join us for an interview with Daryl Grisgraber of Refugees International who recently returned from Iraq and shares her ideas.
Published 10/19/16
Global attention is focused on military operations to clear ISIS from the city of Mosul - and on the humanitarian impact that the operations will undoubtedly have. But how can this impending crisis be mitigated while not losing sight of the millions of displaced Iraqis elsewhere in the country? Join us for an interview with Daryl Grisgraber of Refugees International who recently returned from Iraq and shares her ideas.
Published 10/19/16
As security forces begin to clear ISIS from Iraq's second largest city, we ask what comes next for Mosul - a complex region and patchwork of tribes, ethnicities, cultures and customs.
Published 09/28/16
As security forces begin to clear ISIS from Iraq's second largest city, we ask what comes next for Mosul - a complex region and patchwork of tribes, ethnicities, cultures and customs.
Published 09/28/16
On this edition of Iraq Matters, we speak with Hala al-Sarraf, one woman who is going to extraordinary measures to help meet the needs of vulnerable families in Iraq. Listen as she discusses how Iraqi civil society groups are operating in Iraq's difficult environment, why local NGOs ought to be empowered and trusted to lead aid efforts, and the critical role that youth volunteers play in shaping Iraq's humanitarian progress.
Published 05/25/16