J. Mac Skelton

Executive Director of @IRISmideast and Visiting Senior Research Fellow @KingsCollegeLon. Anthropologist focused on conflict, health and climate in MENA.

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

At @CH_MENAP’s #IraqInitiative Conference, IRIS Senior Researcher @Akalisy joined @ProfTobyDodge, Hanaa Edwar, and @AL_Khatteeb for a discussion on “Can Public Pressure Still Influence Politics in Iraq?”

IRIS Executive Director @Mac_Skelton also chaired a policy roundtable on “The Business of Politics in Iraq” with @SajadJiyad and others.

[J. Mac Skelton @mac_skelton]

Drawing from 155 interviews, just published "Politicising civilian protection in Iraq" in @SecDialogue. We focus on politics of security/insecurity in Mosul. Thanks to co-authors @ZmkanSaleem & @thewarspace and collaboration between @IRISmideast and @GPPi: https://t.co/KEH5M6Ln9U

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

Last week, IRIS participated in the @XCEPT_Research programme's final conference in London. IRIS Director @mac_skelton spoke on the panel “Circulation as Power,” where he discussed emerging trade routes between Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. IRIS Senior Researcher @Akalisy contributed to a roundtable on cross-border flows in conflict-affected contexts.

For more on our XCEPT research: https://t.co/so8re7R6iC

[J. Mac Skelton @mac_skelton]

Good to see @BarhamSalih, the founder of @auisofficial and longtime friend of @irismideast, in Oxford yesterday.

[Joseph Bahout باحوط @jobahout]

📑Our new policy brief on the #Levant_Corridor (#Iraq-#Syria-#Lebanon), co-authored with @mac_skelton, @Akalisy, @ZmkanSaleem, & @yeghig.

It is co-published by @IRISmideast & @ifi_aub, in collaboration with @OmranDirasat & supported by @XCEPT_Research.

https://t.co/iq5w2EG1w6

[J. Mac Skelton @mac_skelton]

Our first policy brief for our @XCEPT_Research on trade infrastructures linking Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Thanks to co-authors @jobahout and @yeghig from @ifi_aub, and IRIS colleagues @Akalisy and @ZmkanSaleem, in addition to collaborators at @OmranDirasat.

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

NEW PUBLICATION: With the Strait of Hormuz closed, Iraqi oil began crossing into Syria in April 2026.
A new policy brief, published by IRIS and @ifi_aub, draws on interviews across Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon to map the infrastructure priorities for the emerging “Levant Corridor.” Research supported by @XCEPT_Research, and in collaboration with @OmranDirasat.

Click below to read the full publication:
https://t.co/DW3ib0cUon

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

NEW PUBLICATION: With the Strait of Hormuz closed, Iraqi oil began crossing into Syria in April 2026.
A new policy brief, published by IRIS and @ifi_aub, draws on interviews across Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon to map the infrastructure priorities for the emerging “Levant Corridor.” Research supported by @XCEPT_Research, and in collaboration with @OmranDirasat.

Click below to read the full publication:
https://t.co/DW3ib0cUon

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

The #SulaimaniForum returns April 7–8, 2027. Please save the date!
@auisofficial

[Pascal Reyntjens @Preyntjens]

Climate change & conflict are reshaping displacement & health challenges in 🇮🇶
Glad to join a panel at @auisofficial to discuss research by @IRISmideast & Johns Hopkins Center for @Humanit_Health
Strong partnerships turn evidence into action & build more resilient communities.

[Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman @BayanRahman]

A timely discussion on the impacts of climate change and health on displacement following the release of @IRISmideast and Johns Hopkins’ research on displacement in Iraq. Thanks to @BilalWahab and @mac_skelton for hosting us at @auisofficial and for putting the spotlight on a critical issue

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

How do climate change, conflict, and health shape displacement patterns in Iraq?

Yesterday, IRIS released the results of new research on this topic, conducted in partnership with @Humanit_Health at Johns Hopkins University. The launch featured a panel discussion with the KRG Prime Minister’s Climate and Foreign Relations Advisor @KRGClimate, @BayanRahman, @IOMIraq Chief of Mission @Preyntjens, and IRIS Director @mac_skelton.

Watch the full recording of the event here: https://t.co/mgSm6QA1It

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

On September 22, 2026, moderated by @mac_skelton, IRIS convened @MAShummary, @dianakaissy, @z_alkinani, and Mohammed Hassan Al-Najjar from the government of Iraq to assess the economic fallout of the Strait of Hormuz crisis on Iraq, analyzing fiscal vulnerabilities, trade routes, and energy infrastructure.
#Iraq #HormuzStrait #Economy

Full panel video now available. https://t.co/yftoPwmak8

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

Beyond oil and high-level diplomacy, how is the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz affecting Iraq-GCC trade?
A new IRIS report by @Akalisy explores how rising logistics costs and shipping delays are straining low-margin sectors. This is driving Iraqi traders toward alternative corridors and supply chains, reimagining a core component of Iraq’s regional economic integration.

🔗 Read the full analysis: https://t.co/GwEYsNgWtN

#Iraq #GCC #Trade #MiddleEastEconomy #PolicyAnalysis

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

An IRIS delegation, including @mac_skelton and @Akalisy conducted a series of meetings in Damascus under the project "The Levant Corridor: Cross-border Trade between Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon," supported by the @XCEPT_Research programme.

IRIS held discussions on Syria’s regional economic strategy with officials from the Syrian Ministries of Finance, Transport, and Foreign Affairs, alongside representatives from the Border Ports Authority and the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce.

This research initiative is conducted in partnership with the @ifi_aub and, as well as the @OmranStudies. We are grateful to the @OmranStudies for making this trip possible.

[J. Mac Skelton @mac_skelton]

While civilian injuries in the the Middle East have been widely documented, little is known about civilian trauma pathways. Read our latest in @GlobalHealthBMJ with @GhassanAbuSitt1, @abdulsaterz, @SullivanProf, @gmbowsher, @thewarspace among others.

https://t.co/gMDvBxuQbk

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

🎥 Video Posted | "Regional War, Economic Strain: Local and State Responses Across the Middle East" with @jobahout from @ifi_aub, @NoamRaydan from @WashInstitute, Dr. Abdulaziz Sager from @Gulf_Research, and @mac_skelton from IRIS.
Watch in full ⤵️
https://t.co/FJPh1IE4YF

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

Upcoming Webinar: Regional War, Economic Strain: Local & State Responses Across the Middle East.

In this IRIS online event, @jobahout, @NoamRaydan, Dr. Abdulaziz Sager of @Gulf_Research, and @mac_skelton will discuss how governments and citizens across the Middle East are navigating the economic fallout of regional conflict.

📅 4 May, 2026
🕐 16.00 Baghdad
📍 Zoom

Register now ⤵️
https://t.co/hDuzrRZREA

[J. Mac Skelton @mac_skelton]

What are the immediate and long-term implications of war for cancer care? Our editorial in @bmjoncology explores this question through lessons from Ukraine. With @gmbowsher, @SullivanProf, and Kateryna Denysenko: https://t.co/22sdOdhyAZ

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

The IRIS team joined @ArabReform_ARI in Beirut to launch a new report “Redefining the Just Energy Transition for Iraq.” IRIS director @mac_skelton and research fellow @Shayan_Kamil presented the findings alongside panelists @RBenHamadou, Adem Mokrani, and Dhabia Al-Mohannadi. #EnergyTransition #Iraq #MENA