The Institute for the Study of War advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education. We are committed to improving the nation’s ability to execute military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve U.S. strategic objectives. ISW is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization.
Additional Materials from Institute for the Study of War: Policy Briefs
General Working Papers
Title: A strategy to defeat the islamic state
Authors: Kimberly Kagan, Frederick W. Kagan, & Jessica D. Lewis
Date: September 2014Title: The Islamic State: A Counter-Strategy for a Counter-State
Authors: Jessica D. Lewis
Date: July 2014Title: ISIS Governance in Syria
Authors: Charles C. Caris, Samuel Reynolds
Date: July 2014Title: The Islamic State of Iraq Returns to Diyala
Authors: Jessica Lewis
Date: April 2014Title: Iraq's 2014 National Elections
Authors: Ahmed Ali
Date: April 2014Title: Iraq's 2014 National Elections
Authors: Ahmed Ali
Date: April 2014Title: Hezbollah in Syria
Authors: Marisa Sullivan
Date: April 2014Title: Hezbollah in Syria
Authors: Marisa Sullivan
Date: April 2014Title: Assad Strikes Damascus
Authors: Valerie Szybala
Date: January 2014Title: Afghanistan - Order of Battle
Authors: Wesley Morgan
Date: October 2013Title: Afghanistan - Order of Battle
Date: October 2013Title: Sectarian and Regional Conflict in the Middle East
Authors: Aaron Reese
Date: July 2013Title: Iranian Naval and Maritime Strategy
Authors: Christopher Harmer
Date: June 2013Title: Iraq's Sunnis in Crisis
Authors: Stephen Wicken
Date: May 2013Title: Maliki's Authoritarian Regime
Authors: Marisa Sullivan
Date: April 2013Title: The Free Syrian Army
Authors: Elizabeth O'Bagy
Date: March 2013Title: The Assad Regime: From Counterinsurgency To Civil War
Authors: Joseph Holliday
Date: March 2013Title: The Resurgence of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq
Authors: Sam Wyer
Date: December 2012Title: Jihad in Syria
Authors: Elizabeth O’Bagy
Date: September 2012Title: Syria's Maturing Insurgency
Authors: Joseph Holliday
Date: June 2012Title: Syria's Political Opposition
Authors: Elizabeth O’Bagy
Date: April 2012Title: The Haqqani Network: A Strategic Threat
Authors: Jeffrey Dressler
Date: March 2012Title: Syria's Armed Opposition
Authors: Joseph Holliday
Date: March 2012Title: The Struggle for Syria in 2011
Authors: Joseph Holliday
Date: December 2011Title: Iran's Two Navies
Authors: Joshua Himes
Date: October 2011Title: Iranian Influence in the Levant, Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Kimberly Kagan, Frederick W. Kagan, Danielle Pletka
Date: February 2008Title: The Fight for Diwaniyah: The Sadrist Trend and ISCI Struggle for Supremacy
Authors: Patrick Gaughen
Date: January 2008Iraq Situation Reports
Title: Iraq Situation Report: July 30, 2014
Authors: Nichole Dicharry
Date: July 2014Title: ISIS Battle Plan for Baghdad
Authors: Jessica Lewis
Date: June 2014Title: Iraq Situation Report: August 4, 2014
Authors: Nichole Dicharry
Date: June 2014Title: The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham and the "Cleansing" of Deir ez-Zour
Authors: Valerie Szybala
Date: May 2014Title: AQI's "Soldiers' Harvest" Campaign
Authors: Jessica Lewis
Date: October 2013Title: Iraq's sectarian crisis reignites as Shi'a militias execute civilians and remobilize
Authors: Jessica Lewis, Ahmed Ali, Kimberly Kagan
Date: May 2013Title: Iraq's Provincial Elections and their National Implications
Authors: Ahmed Ali
Date: April 2013Title: The Islamic State of Iraq and the 'Destroying the Walls' Campaign
Authors: Sam Wyer
Date: September 2012Title: Political Update: The Hashemi Verdict & the Health of Democracy in Iraq
Authors: Stephen Wicken
Date: September 2012Title: Sadr's Balancing Act on Maliki
Authors: Stephen Wicken
Date: June 2012Title: Relations With Iraq's Kurds: Toward A Working Partnership
Authors: Ramzy Mardini
Date: April 2012Title: Iraqi Leaders React To The U.S. Withdrawl
Authors: Ramzy Mardini
Date: December 2011Title: Iraqi Candidate Disqualification Update
Authors: James Danly, Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
Date: April 2010Title: Iraq on the Eve of Elections
Authors: Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
Date: March 2010Title: Iraqi Elections Update
Authors: James Danly
Date: February 2010Title: Asaib Ahl al Haq and the Special Groups
Authors: Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
Date: January 2009Title: Recent Attacks in Iraq: Al-Qaeda in Iraq or Special Groups?
Authors: Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
Date: October 2008Title: The Iraqi Accord Front's Return to Government
Authors: Farook Ahmed
Date: May 2008Title: Multi-National Division – Center's Operations during the 2007-2008 Troop Surge
Authors: Farook Ahmed
Date: April 2008Title: The Growing Threat of Special Groups in Baghdad
Authors: Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
Date: March 2008Title: Targeting the Diyala Suicide Bombing Network
Authors: Eric Hamilton
Date: March 2008Title: Iran and Al-Qaeda in Iraq: What's the Connection?
Authors: Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
Date: March 2008Title: Sons of Iraq and Awakening Forces
Authors: Farook Ahmed
Date: February 2008Title: Iraq Situation Report
Authors: Kimberly Kagan, Marisa Cochrane, Eric Hamilton, Farook Ahmed, Andrea So, Wesley Morgan
Date: February 2008Title: Developments Fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq
Authors: Eric Hamilton
Date: January 2008Title: Saydiyah (السيدية)
Authors: Patrick Gaughen
Date: November 2007Title: The Knights of Ameriya: Concerned Citizens in Baghdad
Authors: Will Waddell
Date: September 2007Title: Reconciliation Movements in and around Baghdad
Authors: Will Waddell
Date: September 2007Title: Baghdad's Neighborhoods: November 2006 – August 2007: The Baghdad Security Plan in Mansour District
Authors: Andrea R. So
Date: September 2007Title: Baghdad Neighborhood Project: Washash and Iskan
Authors: Patrick Gaughen
Date: September 2007Title: Baghdad Neighborhood Project: Rusafa
Authors: Marisa Cochrane
Date: September 2007Title: Local Security: A Grassroots Effort
Authors: Will Waddell
Date: August 2007Title: Order of Battle for Operation Phantom Thunder
Authors: Kimberly Kagan
Date: June 2007Title: Al Qaeda in Iraq Attacks on Bridges
Authors: Kimberly Kagan
Date: June 2007