{ "id": "IN11195", "type": "CRS Insight", "typeId": "INSIGHTS", "number": "IN11195", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, Federation of American Scientists", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 610212, "date": "2019-12-03", "retrieved": "2019-12-13T15:08:11.993047", "title": "Iraq: Protests, Transition, and the Future of U.S. Partnership ", "summary": "Mass protests and state violence against some protestors have shaken Iraq since October 2019, with at least 400 Iraqis reported dead and thousands more injured in Baghdad and several southern Iraqi cities. After security forces and unidentified gunmen killed 45 protestors on November 27 and 28, Prime Minister Adel Abd Al Mahdi publicly stated his intent to resign, which protestors and some prominent political figures had been demanding for months. Iraqi legislators in the Council of Representatives (COR) acknowledged the prime minister\u2019s offer, but he remains in office until a replacement or caretaker government is nominated and endorsed. Procedures for prime-ministerial replacement in cases of resignation are ambiguous under Iraq\u2019s constitution, and political differences among leading factions may delay a prompt resolution. Meanwhile, demonstrations and confrontations continue, as protestors demand meaningful, lasting change. \nThe nature and duration of the protests and the Iraqi government\u2019s responses have deepened U.S. concerns about Iraq\u2019s stability. Related future developments could complicate U.S. efforts to partner with Iraq\u2019s government as Iraq recovers from war with the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIS/ISIL) and seeks to maintain its sovereignty. Congress is considering President Donald Trump\u2019s requests for additional military and civilian aid for Iraq without certainty about the future of Iraq\u2019s governing arrangements or how change might affect U.S. interests.\nIraqi Perspectives and Next Steps\nThe protest movement in Iraq is channeling nationalist, nonsectarian sentiment and a range of frustrations into potent rejections of the post-2003 political order. The use of deadly force against protestors by security officers and armed individuals has amplified grievances. Protesters have reiterated past demonstrators\u2019 concerns (with some louder critiques of Iranian political interference), but the scope and endurance of the current protests are unprecedented in Iraq\u2019s recent history. U.S. officials have not endorsed protestors\u2019 demands for an immediate transition, but protestors\u2019 calls for improved governance, reliable local services, more trustworthy and capable security forces, and greater economic opportunity broadly correspond to stated U.S. goals. In October and November, the Iraqi government approved a range of measures in response to protestors\u2019 demands, but protestors largely rejected the measures as insufficient, with many insisting on more fundamental change.\nLeaders of Iraq\u2019s Shia Muslim religious establishment have expressed solidarity with peaceful protestors, rejected foreign interference, and condemned killings of civilians. On November 29, Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani called on the COR to reconsider its support for the current government and to enact electoral reforms swiftly. Hours later, the prime minister publicly stated his intent to resign. Iraqi Kurdish leaders have recognized protestors\u2019 concerns and criticized repressive violence, while convening to unify positions on reforms that some Kurds fear could undermine the federally recognized Kurdistan region\u2019s rights under Iraq\u2019s constitution. Arrests and official discouragement reportedly have prevented the spread of protests to areas of western Iraq predominantly inhabited by Sunni Arabs, but Sunni Arab political figures are now involved in transition negotiations. \nSome Iraqi officials, Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, and Iran-aligned Iraqi militia leaders have contended that the protest movement is a foreign-backed conspiracy. These critics have pledged to defend their interests, especially in light of some protestors\u2019 isolated attacks on various party headquarters, two Iranian diplomatic facilities, and some security forces and militia personnel. Iranian leaders reportedly are working to shape transition arrangements, but, like the United States and Iraqi leaders, they also now face new dynamics introduced by the nationalist protest movement.\nThe prime minister\u2019s resignation offer may mark the beginning of an extended political transition period. Principal decisions now before Iraqi leaders concern (1) identification and endorsement of a caretaker prime minister and cabinet, (2) consideration of proposed electoral system reforms, and (3) the proposed holding of early parliamentary elections in 2020.\nSelection of a caretaker administration may proceed according to a number of scenarios, depending on which constitutional provisions are determined to be operative. The COR is considering a new electoral law and a new law for the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), but the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said in November that the proposed electoral law \u201crequires improvements to meet public demands.\u201d Early elections under a revamped system could introduce new political currents and leaders, but fiscal pressures, political rivalries, and the limited capacity of some state institutions may present lasting hurdles to reform.\nU.S. Responses and Outlook\nThe impasse in Iraq presents dilemmas for the Administration and Congress as they contemplate how best to promote Iraq\u2019s unity and stability, prevent an IS resurgence, and limit Iranian influence. In a series of statements over several weeks, U.S. officials have urged Iraqi leaders to respond seriously to protestors\u2019 demands and to avoid attacks against unarmed protestors, while expressing broad U.S. goals for continued partnership with \u201ca free and independent and sovereign Iraq.\u201d The White House has called on the Iraqi government to \u201cfulfill President [Barham] Salih\u2019s promises to pass electoral reform and hold early elections,\u201d while Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and other officials also have said that the Administration intends to use \u201clegal authorities to sanction corrupt individuals that are stealing Iraqis\u2019 wealth and those killing and wounding peaceful protesters.\u201d On December 2, Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker called on Iraqi leaders \u201cto investigate and hold accountable\u201d individuals responsible for attacks on protestors and to reject \u201cthe distorting influence Iran has exerted on the political process.\u201d\nWith leadership and systemic changes under review in Iraq, continuity in bilateral cooperation is not guaranteed. New leadership and systemic reform might present new opportunities for U.S.-Iraq partnership, but also might further empower Iraqis seeking to minimize U.S. influence and/or weaken bilateral ties. The current Iraqi government endorses the continued presence of U.S. military forces in Iraq, despite calls from other Iraqis, especially Iran-aligned voices, for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The United States has sought Iraq\u2019s cooperation in its maximum pressure campaign against Iran, but has acknowledged limits on Iraq\u2019s ability to reduce some ties to its neighbor. U.S. officials welcome Iraqi efforts to assert more state control over militias, but have not encouraged Iraqi counterparts to confront pro-Iranian armed groups forcefully. \nAs Iraqis debate their political future, Congress may seek the Administration\u2019s views about the prospects for different outcomes in Iraq and their possible implications for U.S. military operations, patterns of U.S. assistance, and regional security.", "type": "CRS Insight", "typeId": "INSIGHTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/IN11195", "sha1": "9209e6aef995a24d9faff5901c22e2e1bb5c0d27", "filename": "files/20191203_IN11195_9209e6aef995a24d9faff5901c22e2e1bb5c0d27.html", "images": {} } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "Federation of American Scientists", "sourceLink": "https://sgp.fas.org/crs/", "id": "IN11195_FAS", "date": "2019-11-12", "retrieved": "2019-11-12T13:12:32", "title": "Iraq: Protests and the Future of U.S. Partnership", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20191112_IN11195_eb884df3d9eb0dcde687bef408dd9563d8699137.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20191112_IN11195_eb884df3d9eb0dcde687bef408dd9563d8699137.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 607255, "date": "2019-11-06", "retrieved": "2019-11-07T23:19:15.703032", "title": "Iraq: Protests and the Future of U.S. Partnership ", "summary": "Mass protests and state violence against some protestors have shaken Iraq since October 2019, with more than 260 Iraqis reported dead and thousands more injured in demonstrations and isolated clashes in Baghdad and southern Iraq. Protestors and some prominent political figures have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abd Al Mahdi and his cabinet, channeling nationalist, nonsectarian sentiment and a range of frustrations into potent rejections of the post-2003 political order. Current protests are reiterating past demonstrators\u2019 concerns (with louder critiques of Iranian interference in some cases), but the scope and endurance of the protests are unprecedented in Iraq\u2019s recent history. U.S. officials have not publicly taken positions on the demonstrators\u2019 specific transition demands, but protestors\u2019 calls for improved governance, reliable local services, more trustworthy and capable security forces, and greater economic opportunity broadly correspond to stated U.S. goals.\nThe nature, duration, and response to the protests are deepening U.S. concerns about Iraq\u2019s stability. Related future developments could complicate U.S. efforts to partner with Iraq\u2019s government as Iraq recovers from the war with the Islamic State (IS, aka ISIS/ISIL) and seeks to maintain its sovereignty. Congress is considering President Donald Trump\u2019s requests for additional military and civilian aid for Iraq without certainty about what Iraq\u2019s future governing arrangements will be or how change might affect U.S. interests.\nIraqi Perspectives and Proposed Solutions\nThe prime minister and some Iraqi officials acknowledge shortcomings in the current political system, but express concern that a period of potentially violent uncertainty could accompany a sudden transition. Other Iraqi officials, Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, and Iran-aligned Iraqi militia leaders contend that the protest movement is a foreign-backed conspiracy. These critics have pledged to defend their interests, especially in light of some protestors\u2019 isolated attacks on various party headquarters, an Iranian diplomatic facility, and some security forces and militia personnel. Iran reportedly is working to delay and shape transition arrangements to preserve its interests and those of its Iraqi partners.\nLeaders of Iraq\u2019s Shia Muslim religious establishment have expressed solidarity with the protestors, called for officials to enact reforms, urged demonstrators to reject violence, rejected foreign interference, and condemned killings of civilians. Iraqi Kurdish leaders have recognized protestors\u2019 concerns and criticized repressive violence, while convening to unify positions on reforms that some Kurds fear could undermine the federally recognized Kurdistan region\u2019s rights under Iraq\u2019s constitution. Arrests and official discouragement reportedly have limited the spread of protests to areas of western Iraq predominantly inhabited by Sunni Arabs. \nThe prime minister and Iraqi legislators have approved a range of measures in response to protestors\u2019 demands, but protestors largely have rejected the measures as insufficient, with many insisting on a sweeping transition. President Barham Salih has proposed revisions to the electoral system followed by elections and has acknowledged the prime minister\u2019s willingness to resign if dominant political blocs agree on a replacement. Amendments to Iraq\u2019s electoral law will require parliamentary approval, and legislators may be disinclined to offer support, having won their seats in May 2018 elections. New elections under a revamped system could introduce new political currents and leaders, but fiscal pressures and the limited capacity of some state institutions may present lasting hurdles to reform. \nSome 2019 polling suggests that many Iraqis may share protestors\u2019 stated concerns about the status quo, but close observers of Iraqi politics express some skepticism that the leading political forces will find consensus easily on transition arrangements. Iraqis continue to differ over implementation of key provisions of the existing constitution and have formed successive governments since 2005 only after extended and contentious negotiations among elites and establishment groups. Many elite stakeholders are targets of protestors\u2019 ire, but they remain the likely arbiters of proposed remedies to the protestors\u2019 demands. Iran and the United States previously have used pressure and mediation to shape negotiations among Iraqi elites, but now are contending with new dynamics introduced by the nationalist protest movement. \nU.S. Responses and Outlook\nThe impasse in Iraq presents dilemmas for the Administration and Congress as they contemplate how best to promote Iraq\u2019s unity and stability, prevent an IS resurgence, and limit Iranian influence. As Iraqis debate their political future, Congress may seek the Trump Administration\u2019s views about the prospects for different outcomes in Iraq and their possible implications for U.S. military operations, patterns of U.S. assistance, and regional security. \nOn November 1, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said \u201cthe Government of Iraq should listen to the legitimate demands made by the Iraqi people who have taken to the streets to have their voices heard.\u201d He reiterated that the U.S. government has \u201ccalled on all sides to reject violence\u201d and called for restrictions on the press and expression to end. On November 6, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said in a statement, \u201cThere is no path forward based on suppression of the will of the Iraqi people.\u201d\nLeading Iraqi officials endorse the continued presence of U.S. military forces in Iraq, in spite of calls from some Iraqis, especially Iran-aligned voices, for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The United States has sought Iraq\u2019s cooperation in its maximum pressure campaign against Iran, but has acknowledged limits on Iraq\u2019s ability to cut some ties to its neighbor. U.S. officials welcome Iraqi efforts to assert more state control over militias, but have not encouraged Iraqi counterparts to confront pro-Iranian armed groups forcefully. \nMany Iraqis appear to view incremental change as unlikely to resolve their concerns, but they also appear to differ in their preferences for the scope and pace of systemic change. Systemic reform might present new opportunities for U.S.-Iraq partnership, but also might further empower Iraqis who seek to minimize U.S. influence and/or weaken bilateral ties. \nMaintenance of the political status quo despite Iraqi domestic opposition also presents risks. If, for example, the United States continues to cooperate with an increasingly unpopular Iraqi governing elite that remains unresponsive to citizens\u2019 demands, then options for pursuing U.S. interests could become more limited or costly. Confrontations resulting from continued paralysis or repressive measures could jeopardize Iraq\u2019s hard-won security gains.", "type": "CRS Insight", "typeId": "INSIGHTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/IN11195", "sha1": "db96e714cc77b0318d8b86e188faacb65a321e90", "filename": "files/20191106_IN11195_db96e714cc77b0318d8b86e188faacb65a321e90.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/IN11195", "sha1": "67ec6ac6505e2a6a530b06dc3e96c2cf9d7bdd76", "filename": "files/20191106_IN11195_67ec6ac6505e2a6a530b06dc3e96c2cf9d7bdd76.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [] } ], "topics": [ "CRS Insights", "Constitutional Questions" ] }