Iraq Matters

Iraq Matters episodes:

• 02.28.2020

  #38: Social Media and Iraq’s Protest Movement

  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...

  
• 09.25.2019

  #37: The Iran-Iraq War and Its Enduring Impact on the Region

  This week marks the 39th anniversary of Iraq's invasion of Iran's southwestern Khuzestan Province, starting the Iran-Iraq War. On this episode of IRAQ MATTERS, we talk with Joel Wing of "Musings on Iraq" and EPIC's very own Omar Al-Nidawi about...

  
• 12.11.2018

  #36: Basra’s Water Crisis

  Protests have become a seasonal phenomenon in Basra province, southern Iraq. To date, Baghdad’s change of regime has made little difference for Basra’s 4.5 million mostly Shia Muslim residents who are frustrated with government corruption and shortages of electricity, clean...

  
• 12.04.2018

  #35: Mosul’s Recovery: A Dream Deferred

  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...

  
• 01.19.2018

  #34: Corruption and Reconstruction – Lessons Learned

  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.

  
• 11.22.2017

  #33: What is next for Iraqi Kurdistan?

  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.

  
• 08.10.2017

  #32: Yazidi Women and Conflict in Northern Iraq

  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.

  
• 07.10.2017

  #31: Reconstructing Iraq After ISIS

  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.

  
• 03.01.2017

  #30: Remembering Mutanabbi Street 10 Years Later

  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...

  
• 02.10.2017

  #29: How are Refugees Resettled in the US?

  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.

  
• 10.19.2016

  #28: Displacements Beyond Mosul

  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...

  
• 09.28.2016

  #27: What happens to Mosul after ISIS?

  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.

  
• 05.25.2016

  #26: Civil Society and Youth Respond to Iraq’s Needs

  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...

  
• 05.25.2016

  #26: Civil Society and Youth Respond to Iraq’s Needs

  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...

  
• 03.29.2016

  #25: Poetry and the Evolution of Free Speech in Iraq

  When most Americans hear the word Iraq, they assume that the conversation will be about bombs, violence, oil, or politics. While these are important modern issues, they make us forget that Iraq is home to one of the world’s first...

  
• 03.29.2016

  #25: Poetry and the Evolution of Free Speech in Iraq

  When most Americans hear the word Iraq, they assume that the conversation will be about bombs, violence, oil, or politics. While these are important modern issues, they make us forget that Iraq is home to one of the world’s first...

  
• 03.08.2016

  #24: A Conversation with Iraq’s Ambassador Lukman Faily

  Today, Iraq is facing three simultaneous crises: ongoing insecurity and violence on and off the ISIS battlefield, a serious economic downturn precipitated by falling oil prices, and a humanitarian emergency with 10 million people—nearly a third of the population—in immediate...

  
• 11.26.2015

  #23: A Trip Report on Iraq’s Displacement Crisis with Refugees International

  Since the escalation of armed conflict in Iraq that began with ISIS seizing territory in Anbar in January 2014, 3.2 million people have fled their homes. As Refugees International reports: "They are living in rented accommodations, unfinished buildings, and makeshift...

  
• 08.31.2015

  #22: Giving Voice to the Street Kids and Orphans of Iraq

  For years, we've been singing the praises of the Iraqi Children Foundation (ICF). Today we're thrilled to finally share their inspiring story with you. Just days after their most recent mission to Baghdad, we sit down with ICF co-founder Jonathan...

  
• 08.05.2015

  #21: One Year After the Fall of Sinjar

  One year ago this week, ISIS captured the city of Sinjar, the historic home of Iraq's Yazidi community. ISIS massacred hundreds of residents in cold blood and kidnapped thousands of women and children. To learn what has happened to the...

  
• 04.02.2015

  #20: Under Threat: an Exclusive Report from Iraqi Kurdistan

  With the war against ISIS, a worsening fiscal crisis, and the challenge of hosting 1.5 million Iraqis and Syrians displaced by ISIS militants, Cathy Otten of IRIN reports that Iraqi Kurdistan is nearing 'the breaking point.' To learn more, EPIC...

  
• 03.03.2015

  #1: Re-Release: Our Podcast Debut

  An encore presentation of our first Iraq Matters podcast, originally released on August 6, 2013, with an introductory commentary about why Iraq matters and our vision for the program and featuring conversations on Iraqi politics and culture with Iraq analyst...

  
• 02.06.2015

  #19: OUT IN THE COLD: the Deepening Crisis in Iraq

  According to the latest UN estimate, 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Iraq. To discuss that challenge, EPIC convened a distinguished panel with Francois Stamm of ICRC, Michel Gabaudan of Refugees International, Joe Stork of Human...

  
• 11.26.2014

  #18: United in Diversity: The Story of Iraq’s Christian Communities

  You may have seen it on your social media feed. These days it seems to be appearing everywhere. The Arabic ن (“noon”) symbol has been used by the Islamic State to mark Christian homes and businesses. Now Christians and their...

  
• 10.20.2014

  #17: Winter is Coming

  Across Iraq and the region, millions of Iraqis and Syrians fleeing ISIS face another threat: winter. How are governments responding to this fast approaching humanitarian emergency? Can aid agencies move fast enough to provide shelter for so many before the...