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

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

Sep 25th, 2019 59m 28s

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

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

Sep 25th, 2019 59m 28s

#36: Basra’s Water Crisis

Dec 11th, 2018 33m 18s

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 s

#35: Mosul’s Recovery: A Dream Deferred

Dec 4th, 2018 49m 33s

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 the f

#34: Corruption and Reconstruction – Lessons Learned

Jan 19th, 2018 23m

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.

#33: What is next for Iraqi Kurdistan?

Nov 22nd, 2017 56m 30s

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.

#32: Yazidi Women and Conflict in Northern Iraq

Aug 10th, 2017 28m 54s

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.

#31: Reconstructing Iraq After ISIS

Jul 10th, 2017 30m 3s

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.

#30: Remembering Mutanabbi Street 10 Years Later

Mar 1st, 2017 52m 7s

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

#29: How are Refugees Resettled in the US?

Feb 10th, 2017 27m 40s

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.

#28: Displacements Beyond Mosul

Oct 19th, 2016 38m 54s

On this edition of Iraq Matters, we are pleased to welcome Daryl Grisgraber of Refugees International who recently returned from Iraq. While there, she visited displacement camps in both central and northern Iraq, and met with displaced familie

#27: What happens to Mosul after ISIS?

Sep 28th, 2016 33m 3s

On this edition of Iraq Matters, we ask Christine van den Toorn from the American University of Iraq how northern Iraq, which has long been shaped by ethnic factions vying for power, will be governed as it rebuilds and repopulates. What pre-ISI

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

May 25th, 2016 42m 7s

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'

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

Mar 29th, 2016 33m 3s

EPIC Program Manager Taif Jany talks with celebrated Iraqi poet, activist, and human rights lawyer Amal al-Jubouri about the challenges to free speech that she faced prior to the 2003 US-led invasion, the importance of sharing Iraq's story with

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

Mar 8th, 2016 28m 12s

EPIC Director Erik Gustafson spoke with Iraq 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 futu

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

Nov 26th, 2015 48m 52s

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 b

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

Aug 31st, 2015 54m 15s

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 Jonath

#21: One Year After the Fall of Sinjar

Aug 5th, 2015 1h

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 o

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