Iraq Matters

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 civilizations dating back 6000 years. Since that time, Iraq's diverse people have given so much to the world through contributions to art, science, music, literature, and philosophy. EPIC Program Manager Taif Jany talks with celebrated Iraqi poet, activist, and human rights lawyer Amal al-Jabouri about the challenges to free speech that she faced prior to the 2003 US-led invasion, the importance of sharing Iraq's story with the world, and the role of young women in shaping Iraq's future. This episode is also available in Arabic on SoundCloud.

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 civilizations dating back 6000 years. Since that time, Iraq's diverse people have given so much to the world through contributions to art, science, music, literature, and philosophy. EPIC Program Manager Taif Jany talks with celebrated Iraqi poet, activist, and human rights lawyer Amal al-Jabouri about the challenges to free speech that she faced prior to the 2003 US-led invasion, the importance of sharing Iraq's story with the world, and the role of young women in shaping Iraq's future. This episode is also available in Arabic on SoundCloud.

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 need of assistance. The good news is that conditions in Iraq are favorable for an effective government, thanks to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s genuine commitment to reforms that improve governance for all Iraqis.

EPIC Director Erik Gustafson speaks with Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Lukman Faily on the needs of displaced persons in Iraq, government reforms to counter corruption, the role of Americans and the next U.S. President, and the future of Iraqi society. Find out what the Ambassador said about these topics and more on this edition of "Iraq Matters."

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 camps, often without adequate food, water, or medical care." We talk with Refugees International's Senior Advocate Daryl Grisgraber about her recent mission to Baghdad and her visits to the southern city of Hilla and a hard-to-reach area in Anbar. Get a firsthand account of the crisis, including untold stories of some of the families most affected and of youth volunteers who are responding to their needs. We then share highlights of our recent briefing with Ahmed Ali, including his views on the fight against ISIS, the challenges facing Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and the recent unrest in Iraqi Kurdistan.

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 Webb. After four years of experiencing the war in Iraq up-close and personal, Jonathan returned with a very different vision for Iraq. In 2008, he co-founded ICF to mobilize a life-changing “Surge of Love” for millions of children traumatized by violence in Iraq. Jonathan shares the story of ICF's success in helping orphans and other vulnerable children living on the streets of war-torn Iraq, and what he's learned from partnering with some of Iraq's most extraordinary civil society leaders. Also included, an Iraq update from our EPIC's research team.

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 people of Sinjar since then, we talk with Christine van den Toorn, director of the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. Also featured: an Iraq update with our Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor research team.