Publication

This brief discusses the implications of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) expansion to northwest Iraq for Iran and the latter’s possible response. The author argues that ISIS advances in Iraq represent a failure of Iran’s goal to build a weak and non-threatening but stable and unified Iraq, dependent on Iran and led by a Shiite majority. He explains why this turn of events worries Iran and comments on the rationale behind its military support of the Iraqi government. Finally, he discusses the possibility of US-Iranian cooperation on Iraq, arguing that it could prove to be a serious mistake.