AGP Executive Report

Kurdistan Security: A US coalition commander met Kurdistan Region PM Masrour Barzani to reaffirm Washington’s commitment and stress Peshmerga’s role against ISIS, while Barzani warned Syria’s escalation could enable ISIS to return. Online Rights & Safety: Iraqi civil society groups, backed through UNESCO’s Social Media 4 Peace project, launched coordinated monitoring to track harmful online narratives, hate speech, and harassment tied to the regional conflict—aiming to protect freedom of expression while reducing online harms. Infrastructure Under Fire: Saudi Arabia shut its East-West pipeline after drone attacks said to have been launched from Iraq, drawing condemnation from Bahrain and Qatar and raising fresh fears for regional stability and energy routes. 9/11 Memory Politics: Iran’s foreign ministry hit back at US officials for using the 25th anniversary to justify a “reckless and unlawful” war, arguing Washington’s “war on terror” legacy helped fuel decades of occupation and civilian harm. Culture & Heritage: UNESCO and Iraq’s Ministry of Culture are restoring poet Badr Shakir Al Sayyab’s childhood home in Basra, turning it into a literary museum and cultural centre for younger Iraqi engineers and artisans.

Iraq-France Diplomacy: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi is set to travel to France and meet President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, with talks expected to cover economy, security, energy, and education, plus new memoranda of understanding. Regional Security & Trade: Iran says it will hold Strait of Hormuz talks with Gulf states in Oman on Monday, with Iraq expected to participate, as navigation disruptions and oil-price pressure keep the chokepoint in the spotlight. 9/11 Culture & Politics: Across the U.S., the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is marked with memorial ceremonies and renewed debate over the “war on terror” legacy, including how the anniversary is being used in current politics—such as Michigan’s governor race where 9/11 references spark backlash. Media, Memory & Identity: Commentary and reporting revisit how 9/11 reshaped American film, journalism, and public life, while highlighting enduring grief and the long shadow of post-attack policies.

9/11 at 25 (Iraq & global context): The anniversary coverage keeps circling back to how the “war on terror” reshaped security, politics, and daily life—plus the long public-health fallout from Ground Zero toxins and the still-unfinished grief for families. Memory & education: In the US, educators and students are using oral histories and classroom approaches that focus on context and critical thinking, not reenacting trauma. Extremism’s afterlife: Multiple pieces argue al-Qaeda and related jihadist networks remain active and adaptive, with warnings that new-style attacks could emerge beyond the original battlefields. Iraq-linked security shift: A US-led coalition has begun withdrawing from Iraq’s Kurdistan region ahead of a Sept 30 deadline, leaving forces mainly around Erbil as the IS mission winds down. Regional escalation (Red Sea/Hormuz): Reports highlight Houthi advances near Bab al-Mandeb and rising oil-price pressure amid US-Iran tensions—developments that keep reverberating into Iraq’s wider security environment. Culture & commemoration: From George W. Bush’s 9/11-inspired art exhibit to memorial songs and local remembrance events, the anniversary is also being processed through art, music, and community rituals.

Fuel Protests in Iraq: Protests over fuel prices, unpaid dues, and government jobs spread across Iraq, with Wasit farmers blocking the road to the Al-Ahdab oilfield over diesel costs, while Karbala and Al-Muthanna saw similar anger at shortages and price hikes that hit heavy machinery and agriculture. Iraq Cabinet Delay: Iraq is unlikely to complete PM Ali Al-Zaidi’s cabinet until after his mid-September trip to France and Germany, as disputes keep nine ministerial posts vacant, including Defense, Interior, Culture, Higher Education, and Migration. Peshmerga Unification: In Iraqi Kurdistan, the Peshmerga ministry says the long process of unifying Peshmerga forces under one command is complete, bringing major units from KDP and PUK under the ministry umbrella. US Coalition Withdrawal from Kurdistan: The US-led anti-ISIS coalition has started withdrawing from Iraq’s Kurdistan region, with forces now mainly at Erbil airport ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline. Al-Qaeda 25 Years On: A new explainer revisits how al-Qaeda evolved from a late-1980s jihadist network into a global threat with affiliates, despite major setbacks. 9/11 Aftermath and Muslim Women: Reporting marks how discrimination and suspicion after 9/11 still weigh on Muslim women, with Pew data showing higher rates of reported discrimination in 2026. Global Jihad Assessment Debate: The Soufan Center’s “evidence-based” assessment of the jihadi movement is criticized for major omissions, including how Qatar and Turkey are treated in the discussion. Gulf States Forum (Culture & Diplomacy): The University of Utah announces a Gulf States Forum and alumni dinner focused on diplomacy, resources, and innovation across the Gulf, with sessions leading into Sept. 17.

Iraq Education: Iraq’s 2026–2027 school year is set to start Sept. 20, but Parliament’s Education Committee says many schools still lack textbooks and curriculum materials because the Education Ministry has not yet awarded printing contracts, with delays blamed on tight finances; the committee is pushing Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the Finance Ministry to fund and speed up printing so books arrive before classes begin. Iraq Security & Weapons: Iraq’s push to bring weapons under state control faces resistance from Iran-aligned armed factions ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline tied to the end of the U.S.-led coalition mission, with reports that some groups want a two-year freeze while keeping their own structures. Gulf Shipping & Daily Life: The wider U.S.–Iran tanker war continues to disrupt the region, including damage to vessels in Iraq’s waters, while UAE flight delays persist and travelers are urged to check routes. Culture & Film: Iraqi director Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji’s “Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream” is highlighted for the Hollywood African Cinema Connection in Cape Town, spotlighting everyday life in Iraq beyond conflict headlines. 9/11 Memory & Politics: As the 25th anniversary approaches, new reporting and commentary keep circling back to how the “war on terror” reshaped security, surveillance, and regional instability—threads that still run through today’s Iraq-focused debates.

Education Crisis: Iraq is short more than 10,000 schools, pushing some classrooms into double and triple shifts and squeezing learning time, with UNICEF warning that overcrowding harms students’ contact with teachers. Regional Security: Israel’s Netanyahu says it’s “very close” to defeating Iran and warns against any “terror army” along Israel’s border as forces hold positions in Syria’s UN-monitored buffer zone. Iraq in the Crossfire: A tanker chartered by Iraq’s state shipping firm was hit by an unidentified source in Iraqi territorial waters near Basra’s Faw port; authorities are investigating and say there were no casualties or cargo leaks. Hormuz Escalation: Oil prices jumped above $100 as Iran and the U.S. trade strikes tied to a widening restricted zone near the Strait of Hormuz, with shipping disruptions and new conditions for ending the war. Politics & Militias: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi faces a credibility test over disarming Iran-backed Shi’ite militias ahead of the Sept. 30 U.S. coalition withdrawal timeline. Culture & Memory: Multiple pieces mark 25 years since 9/11, revisiting how the “war on terror” reshaped American life and fueled Islamophobia.

Iraq & Region Politics: Iran’s IRGC says it struck 20 vessels in two operations, targeting two US ships, eight oil tankers, and additional vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, while also claiming ballistic missile strikes on Jordan’s al-Azraq base—amid US moves against Iranian-linked tankers and rising shipping disruption. Kurdish Rights in Focus: The SDF’s merger into Syria’s government forces is sparking debate among Kurds in Syria and neighboring Iraq/Türkiye over whether Kurdish language and political rights will hold as the “armed struggle” is dropped. Iraq’s Social & Legal Pulse: Iraq’s Central Bank says Al-Taif Islamic Bank withdrawals will be handled gradually under guardianship, prioritizing salaries and protecting depositors after the bank was placed under CBI oversight. Culture & Community: A new elementary school near Luke Air Force Base in the US is named for a pilot killed in Iraq, aiming to deepen ties between the base and surrounding communities. Human Rights Watch: A report warns that white phosphorus munitions can cause extreme, long-lasting harm and calls for stronger international rules after alleged use in Lebanon. Justice for Yazidis: In Australia, a woman accused in an ISIS-linked Yazidi slavery case was denied bail and will remain in custody.

Iraq’s Hate-Speech Crackdown: Iraq’s commander-in-chief office says a new committee will monitor and curb sectarian, ethnic, and racial incitement, with the judiciary deciding legal action. Kurdistan Education Boost: The Rwanga Foundation is funding 100+ scholarships for Kurdistan Region grade-12 graduates, pairing places with admission guidance and 200 trainers across 17 centers. Film & Identity: Iraq’s Oscar submission, No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman, highlights Kurdish women fighters and a Mosul return story tied to the fight against ISIS. Culture After 9/11: A look at how TV, film, music, and comedy responded to 9/11 shows how grief and fear reshaped entertainment for years. Regional Tensions, Local Impact: Iraq’s foreign minister met the Arab League in Cairo over Strait of Hormuz disruptions, warning of economic fallout for Arab states. Venice Spotlight: Madi Makambu won major Final Cut prizes at Venice, with its pregnancy-denial theme framed as “universal and intense.” Women, War, and Care: Asha Clinic in Vermont expands specialized suicide care, reflecting a broader push toward focused mental-health support.

Mental Health & Suicide Care: Burlington’s new Asha Clinic opens as a specialized outpatient program for suicide care, led by researcher Dr. Craig Bryan and backed by Four Pines Fund, aiming to expand access to proven therapies. Cultural Diplomacy: Qatar’s delegation joined an International Conference on Islamic Cultural Heritage in Uzbekistan, with Iraqi researchers among participants, pushing dialogue between civilizations through science and culture. Iraq Arts & Memory: Iraq’s Oscar submission, “No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman,” spotlights Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and the fight against Islamic State, with regional audiences expected to connect with its female-led narrative. Courts & Community Tensions: Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court ruled on a Nineveh land dispute in Qazza Fakhra and Jaliyukhan, drawing praise from some officials and rejection from Shabak community voices who say the core conflict remains unresolved. Migration & Return: Serêkaniyê Camp residents in Syria begin dismantling tents and preparing to return home in coordinated convoys, as security arrangements are reported in place. 9/11 Education: Florida schools continue 9/11 teaching under state requirements, using oral histories and classroom materials to keep the anniversary’s lessons alive for students born after the attacks. Regional Security & Oil: Iran’s planned “exclusion zone” near Hormuz and rising oil prices keep the Gulf’s shipping and daily costs in the spotlight.

Iraq’s Nineveh Land Ruling: Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court rejected challenges tied to construction restrictions in Qaza Fakhra and Jliyokhan, with Nineveh officials calling it justice for families long blocked from building, while Shabak community voices say it leaves the deeper dispute unresolved. Kirkuk Oil Jobs & Representation: Kurdish MPs urged Iraq’s oil ministry to intervene over alleged unfair management at the state-owned North Oil Company, warning that staffing and promotions are excluding communities. KRG Security Funding Uncertainty: Reports say US financial support for Peshmerga may end Sept. 30, raising fears for immediate security while analysts frame it as a “transitional phase” in US-KRG ties. Semnan University Attack: Iranian authorities arrested two people after clashes and an attack on a dormitory housing Iraqi students, as tensions around militia-linked students inside Iran’s universities continue to simmer. Jerusalem Diplomacy: Jordan-led Arab efforts condemned Israeli violations at Al Aqsa/Al Haram Al Sharif and pushed for stronger international pressure, including coordination with the OIC and a planned Arab-OIC ministerial meeting in New York. Arab Film Development: A new Venice-backed collaboration aims to develop Arab film and TV projects for regional and international markets, focusing on script and early-stage production support. Cultural Memory & 9/11: Multiple pieces mark 25 years since 9/11, including reflections on how the day reshaped security, war, and public life. Digital Hawala Watch: A global watchdog warns that “digital hawala” is evolving with virtual assets, enabling money laundering and sometimes terror financing.

Baghdad Culture: The 27th Baghdad International Book Fair is drawing record attention, with 28 countries participating and hundreds of publishers filling the halls—an upbeat sign for Iraq’s reading scene as the event runs through Sept. 12. Iraq Civic Life: In Babil, security forces partially closed roads to stop protesters reaching a demonstration near the Court of Appeal, after activists rallied over “malicious lawsuits” tied to activist Dirgham Majid. Finance & Daily Life: Iraq’s Central Bank says most depositors’ funds at Al-Taif Islamic Bank are guaranteed, with CBI ready to step in if there’s a shortfall, as reforms continue. Regional Security: Iran’s IRGC claims it destroyed a US surveillance aerostat near Erbil, while the wider US-Iran standoff keeps tightening pressure around the Strait of Hormuz. Arts & Identity: Iraq’s presence also shows up in regional culture—Oman’s Dhofar International Film Festival opens with films from 16 countries including Iraq, alongside broader Arab and international participation.

Banking & Money: Iraq’s Central Bank says most depositors’ funds at Al-Taif Islamic Bank are guaranteed, with CBI oversight and reserves meant to prevent shortfalls, after depositors protested frozen withdrawals. Currency Policy: CBI governor Nizar Nasser Hussein reiterates that changing currency denominations is within CBI authority, while removing zeros needs parliament legislation. Iraq-US Security: Reports say the US plans to withdraw troops and defense systems from Kurdistan by Sept. 30, while Baghdad pushes to treat Sept. 30 as a coalition departure date, not a militia disarmament deadline. Iran-US Escalation: Iran warns of a “faster, heavier and more painful” response as US strikes hit Iranian tankers and Iran claims it destroyed a US surveillance aerostat near Erbil. Culture & Film: Iraq selects Halkawt Mustafa’s Kurdish war drama “No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman” for the 2027 Oscars’ Best International Feature race. Lifestyle & Tech: Starlink is getting easier access via legal sales in nearby markets, which could reshape internet availability inside Iran. Mental Health (Iraq-linked region): A specialized suicide care clinic opens in Burlington, highlighting growing focus on evidence-based treatment access.

Iraq Politics & Sovereignty: Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework is stuck in deadlock with armed factions that refuse to surrender weapons before the Sept. 30 US-withdrawal deadline, putting “Sovereignty Day” plans in doubt. Security & Regional Tensions: The US and Iran keep escalating around the Strait of Hormuz after US strikes hit Iran-linked tankers, with Iran warning of retaliation and the waterway effectively running at a fraction of normal traffic. ISIS Detention & Justice: Iraq says it has finished investigating about 5,700 ISIS detainees transferred from Syria, with cases set to proceed to trial and some releases planned. Local Governance & Heritage: Najaf registers 196 heritage buildings under preservation law, requiring approvals for restoration and protecting sites from demolition or harmful alterations. Culture & Lifestyle: Asha Clinic opens in Burlington as a specialized suicide-care outpatient model, while in northeast Syria new alcohol taxes and rules are driving prices up and pushing sales into smuggling. Education & Work: A Nineveh education-department accountant was detained over a years-long “ghost payroll” scheme involving a fictitious employee. Business & Industry: In-house manufacturing is boosting custom production efficiency, with one firm highlighting faster design-to-build changes under one roof.

Nineveh Corruption Crackdown: Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity detained a Nineveh education accountant accused of collecting salaries for a fictitious employee for nearly six years, from late 2017 to 2023. Banking Stability Watch: The Central Bank of Iraq reassured depositors that funds are protected and liquidity is sufficient after placing Al-Taif Islamic Bank under guardianship, stressing the move is precautionary and backed by deposit insurance. Heritage Protection in Najaf: Najaf registered 196 heritage buildings under the Antiquities and Heritage Law, covering traditional homes, shrines, mosques, Husseiniyas, schools, and more, with restoration requiring prior approval. Rehabilitation Returns from Syria: Iraq says it has rehabilitated and repatriated about 21,000 Iraqis from al-Hol camp, with only around 1,200 still there and the file expected to close soon. Iraq-Turkey Security Links: Turkey began repatriating 184 Turkish citizens detained in Iraq over alleged ISIL links, with the first group arriving in Ankara from Baghdad. Culture Across Borders: Beirut hosted “Cedar Symposium 2,” bringing together about 35 artists from Lebanon and Iraq to promote coexistence and peace through visual art. Regional Tensions and Shipping: US and Iran traded threats after strikes hit Iranian tankers near Kharg Island, as the Strait of Hormuz reportedly remains effectively closed for commercial traffic.

Iraq’s Education Crunch: Karbala says it needs 350 new schools to cut overcrowding, blaming delays in Iraq’s 2024–2026 budgets that have also left contractors owed about 300 billion dinars, while population growth tied to the holy shrines keeps pushing demand. Cultural Memory & Heritage: The “Mosul Eye” blogger behind live tweeting during the ISIS occupation is now the subject of a new book, recounting how his clandestine archaeology updates helped hundreds escape and guided rescuers. Arts & Representation: Iraq has submitted Halkawt Mustafa’s drama “No Paradise If You Are Killed By A Woman” for the Oscars, spotlighting a female Peshmerga sniper and the violence she survived. Regional Security Fallout: US envoy Tom Barrack says Turkey’s bank sanctions are not a “judgment” on Ankara, as Washington targets Iran-linked financial channels—an issue that keeps reverberating across Iraq’s neighborhood. Mental Health Access (Iraq-linked theme): A new specialized suicide care clinic opens in Burlington, expanding access to evidence-based treatment—another reminder of how communities are building support systems amid crisis.

Film & Women’s Rights in Iraq: Iraq selected Norwegian-Kurdish director Halkawt Mustafa’s drama No Paradise If You Are Killed By A Woman as its Best International Feature Film entry for the 99th Oscars, ahead of a Venice premiere. The story follows Avan Jamal as a female Peshmerga sniper who goes to Mosul to rescue her sister from ISIS, drawing on Mustafa’s own encounter with a female fighter and his Kurdish background. Culture & Faith in the Region: Pope Leo XIV told Latin-rite bishops across the Arab world, “Do not be afraid of your smallness,” stressing that Christian communities’ impact isn’t measured by numbers but by fidelity, service, and charity—especially amid instability and migration. Iraq-Iran Economy & Daily Life: A report says Iraq remains a key financial and trade bridge for Iran as US sanctions tighten, with Washington pressing Baghdad to curb dollar flows and oversight gaps while Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi sets a Sept. 30 push to bring Iran-backed armed groups under state control. Kurdish Politics & Language: Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi rejected claims the SDF surrendered, saying it has integrated into Syria’s army and that “significant” steps are underway for Kurdish linguistic rights. Heritage Under Pressure: Iran’s heritage experts say recent conflict has damaged dozens of historic monuments, including UNESCO-listed sites like Golestan Palace and Chehel Sotoun, as emergency repairs race to save cultural landmarks.