MOHANAD FARIS

The US has doubled down on Iraqi Kurdistan with a massive new consulate in Erbil. But in a region caught between Tehran, Ankara, and Baghdad, does a bigger footprint mean better security—or higher risks? ✍️@mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia 👇 #Iraq #Kurdistan

NEW: The new US consulate in Erbil marks a major pivot in the US footprint in Iraq. 🇮🇶🇺🇸 As focus shifts toward the Kurdistan region’s strategic value, will this massive facility provide a stable base or simply act as a new target for regional strikes? ✍️@mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia 👇 #Iraq #Kurdistan #Erbil

The opening of the new #US consulate in #Erbil was meant to enhance stability and US presence,but it has turned into a security threat after missile&drone attacks,revealing growing challenges instead of the intended de escalation. #iraq Latest @amwajmedia amwaj.media/en/article/wil…

#Iraq’s energy shifts show the country re-emerging as a key arena for great power rivalry. With US sanctions squeezing #Russia over #Ukraine, Iraqi interests risk becoming a high-stakes bargaining chip in this global standoff. ✍️@mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia 👇

Haibat Al-Halbousi's rise was largely engineered by his cousin & Takaddum leader, Mohammed Al-Halbousi—ousted from the speakership in 2023 over forgery allegations. For more on that story, revisit @mohanadfarisal's earlier piece for @amwajmedia 👇 amwaj.media/en/article/how… #Iraq

Iraq’s energy shifts show the country re-emerging as a key arena for great power rivalry. With US sanctions squeezing Russia over Ukraine, Iraqi interests risk becoming a high-stakes bargaining chip in this global standoff. 🇮🇶🇷🇺 ✍️@mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia 👇 #Iraq #Russia #Geopolitics #EnergySecurity

في خطوة تقلب الموازين في قطاع الطاقة #العراقي، أعلنت بغداد عن تأميم حقل غرب القرنة-2 النفطي في أعقاب خروج المشغل #الروسي من الموقع. @mohanadfarisal @AmwajmediaAr 👇 amwaj.media/ar/article/how…

يجد #العراق نفسه عالقاً بين قوتين عظيمتين #الولايات_المتحدة و #روسيا، حيث يدار قطاع #النفط عبر توازنات عالمية بدلاً من المصالح الوطنية، وهو ما يثير عدة تساؤلات حول السيادة ووحدة القرارات الاقتصادية.

#Iraq finds itself caught between two great powers #usa & #russia where the #oil sector is managed by global power balances rather than national interests, raising serious questions about sovereignty and economic decision unity My latest on @amwajmedia amwaj.media/en/article/how…

NEW: Iraq's oil sector is the new frontline of a global power struggle. As Washington and Moscow vie for influence over Baghdad’s energy assets, Iraq finds itself balancing between western investment and Russian strategic interests. ✍️@mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia👇 #Iraq #Oil #Russia #Geopolitics 🇮🇶🇷🇺🇺🇸

في الوقت الذي ترفض فيه بعض الفصائل #العراقية التخلي عن سلاحها، وافقت أخرى أو ألمحت بموافقتها على هذا الخيار لعدة أسباب، من بينها الاستجابة لمطالب حكومة #بغداد أو لتفضيلها للعمل السياسي على حساب النشاط العسكري. مادتي السابقة على أمواج ناقشت هذه التطورات ودوافعها.

Some #Iraq #factions oppose disarmament, while others accept it, citing a several reasons like responding to #baghdad government requests or prioritizing political over military action. My previous article on @amwajmedia explores this position. amwaj.media/en/article/wha…

🇮🇶 #Iraq’s latest elections have revived questions about whether the country’s fragmented party landscape still serves its democracy. Is it time for Iraq to field bigger, more effective parties? @omar_nidawi, @NancyEzzeddine and @renadmansour weigh in for @amwajmedia👇

🇮🇶 #Iraq’s fragile truce with Tehran-aligned factions is under strain as 🇺🇸 #US “maximum pressure” returns. Will intensifying sanctions push groups to resume attacks—or can a potential Iran-US deal hold the line? Full story by @mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia👇

🇮🇷 #Iran is quietly reshaping its Iraq strategy—consolidating key allies while nudging others deeper into state structures. The move reflects fears of renewed chaos and a push to elevate “fresh faces” to safeguard Tehran’s influence. @mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia👇

With 🇮🇶 #Iraq’s elections elevating Mohammed Al-Halbousi’s party as the largest Sunni bloc, his future role is again in the spotlight. Revisit his struggle to balance Iran, Turkey and shifting Sunni politics. @mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia👇

🇮🇷 #Iran appears to be rethinking its 🇮🇶 #Iraq strategy, adopting a “dual-track” approach as Iraq holds elections. Tehran is both consolidating key allies and nudging others toward political integration—hedging its bets amid regional pressure. @mohanadfarisal for @amwajmedia👇

تتبدل ملامح المدن العراقية مع كل موسم انتخابي، لا يكاد المار يرفع بصره إلا وتطارده صور المرشحين المعلقة على أعمدة الإنارة والجسور وجدران المدارس والمستشفيات... المشهد العام أقرب إلى ازدحام بصري خانق منه إلى تعبير ديمقراطي منظم. التقرير في الثريد🧵

يتتبع المقال الاستغلال السياسي الذي يطال ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة، البالغ عددهم في العراق أكثر من أربعة ملايين شخص، ويشكلون نحو 12 بالمئة من سكان العراق، وكيف يستغلهم المرشحون انتخابياً، من خلال توزيع الكراسي المتحركة، والوعود بالرواتب. لقراءة المقال  jummar.media/10476

New on Fikra Forum: "Prospects for Iraq-Syria Security Cooperation in a Post-Assad World" By Mohanad Faris (@mohanadfarisal) washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysi…