Caught in the middle: Iraq’s positioning in US-Iran tensions
5
June 2025 — 6:00PM TO 7:00PM
Anonymous (not verified)
9 May 2025

Chatham House and Online

A panel of experts examine Iraq’s balancing act amid changing US-Iran dynamics.

A panel of experts and policymakers (if Hickey joins especially) examine Iraq’s balancing act amid changing US-Iran dynamics.

In recent years, Iraq has managed to maintain a degree of insulation from turbulence in the Middle East. Despite ongoing US-Iran tensions, the fallout of Israel’s war in Gaza and against the axis of resistance, regime change in Syria, and global economic upheavals, Iraq has maintained a precarious stability. But a convergence of challenges is testing Iraq’s ability to safeguard this fragile balance.

With US-Iran negotiations at a critical juncture, Baghdad once again finds itself caught between two strategic partners whose competition frequently plays out on Iraqi soil. Meanwhile, the cancellation of US energy waivers could severely impact Iraq’s electricity imports from Iran, threatening widespread blackouts just as summer temperatures soar – an unwelcome backdrop to brewing public discontent and looming national parliamentary elections.

Externally, Iraq’s rentier economic model – heavily reliant on oil exports – faces new pressure from shifting global trade dynamics and the rise of protectionist policies. Compounding this, the impact of regime change in Syria creates potential for militant groups to regroup and re-enter Iraq’s porous western border, threatening a hard-won security equilibrium.

This session will explore key questions including:

• How are Washington and Tehran recalibrating their relations and how may this impact Iraq’s politics and economy?
• How is the Middle East security landscape evolving and how can Iraq maintain stability amidst changing regional dynamics and shifting US foreign policy priorities?
• How can Iraq ensure fiscal and political cohesion amidst increasing tariffs and a volatile global trade environment?

By registering for this event, attendees agree to our Code of Conduct, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming space for diverse perspectives and debate.

Source: Chathamhouse Events