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  "authors": [
    "Renad Mansour"
  ],
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  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
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Source: Getty

In The Media
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Why the Baghdad Bombings Happened

The tragic Baghdad bombings are a consequence of the Islamic State's changing tactics and divisions within Iraq's political and security establishment.

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By Renad Mansour
Published on Jul 4, 2016
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The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: Radio Sputnik

Carnegie’s Renad Mansour spoke with Radio Sputnik on the tragic bombings that took place in Baghdad on Sunday. Mansour argued that the bombings were a consquence of divisions within Iraq's security establishment as it is divided between the central government, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and neighborhood patrols.  Mansour stated that due to these divisions, the government is incapable of preventing such bombings. Mansour noted that the Islamic State has begun to change its tactics in Iraq, switching from attemping to conquer cities to asymmetric warfare in order to cause chaos.  Mansour also discussed how Iraqi citizens want change on the political level and that they believe the government is not capable to provide for them. Mansour then discussed Prime Minister Haidar Abadi's political future as he is facing opposition from within his own party and ordinary citizens. Mansour argued that it is still unlear whether Abadi will leave or use this as an opportunity to enact reforms. He also stated that there is a general fear of who would be able to succeed Abadi.

This interview was originally broadcast on Radio Sputnik.

About the Author

Renad Mansour

Former El-Erian Fellow, Middle East Center

Mansour was an El-Erian fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his research focuses on Iraq, Iran, and Kurdish affairs.

    Recent Work

  • Paper
    The Popular Mobilization Forces and Iraq’s Future

      Renad Mansour, Faleh A. Jabar

  • Commentary
    Game of Thrones in Baghdad

      Renad Mansour

Renad Mansour
Former El-Erian Fellow, Middle East Center
Renad Mansour
Political ReformLevantIraqMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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