Abdulla Al-Kalisy

Senior Researcher @IRISmideast | PhD Candidate in International Relations @StAndrewsIR

[Abdulla Al-Kalisy @Akalisy]

Happy to share my article “Iraq’s Authoritarian Democracies: A Conceptual Framework through Tawfiq Al-Suwaydi’s Political Memoirs” out now in @GSQ_Journal

https://t.co/5cMMo4tx2F

[Yeghia Tashjian /يغيا/ Եղիա Թաշճեան 🇱🇧🇦🇲 @yeghig]

Dear friends and colleagues, you can read our new policy brief related to “The #Levant_Corridor: Cross-border Trade between Iraq, Syria and Lebanon" project. The project is part of a multi-country consortium led by @IRISmideast at the American University of Iraq–Sulaimani, in partnership with @ifi_aub, and in collaboration with @OmranDirasat, and supported by @XCEPT and UK International Development.
The authors examine the prospects for developing an east–west trade corridor linking Iraq to the Mediterranean through Syria and Lebanon. Authored by @mac_skelton, @Akalisy, @ZmkanSaleem, @jobahout, and me, the brief argues that this emerging corridor could create significant opportunities for Lebanon, particularly through the strategic role of the ports of Tripoli and Beirut, the potential integration of Lebanese infrastructure into regional energy and trade networks, and stronger economic ties with Iraq and Syria. From the Lebanese side, @JadYateem was the field researcher, during which he conducted dozens of interviews and consultation meetings with key stakeholders.

Link: https://t.co/0gDnNnzhhh

[Chatham House MENA @CH_MENAP]

'Public pressure is itself is evolving, the state is evolving, and this is a continuing conversation. I don't think we are anywhere near the end.'

@Akalisy in the #IraqInitiative Conference debate, 'Can public pressure still influence politics in Iraq?'

Watch the livestream ⤵️ https://t.co/UGgCZSAdjp

[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.

[Abdulla Al-Kalisy @Akalisy]

Glad to have joined this discussion alongside esteemed colleagues. Thanks to Chatham House for convening such a timely conversation on whether public pressure can still influence politics in Iraq.

[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.

[Chatham House MENA @CH_MENAP]

📢 Speaker announcement | #IraqInitiative Conference | 11 November

Speakers debate whether public pressure can still influence politics in Iraq.

Register for virtual attendance ⤵️
https://t.co/9xNExUztWx

[Abdulla Al-Kalisy @Akalisy]

Very much looking forward to this

[Chatham House MENA @CH_MENAP]

📢 Speaker announcement | #IraqInitiative Conference | 11 November

Speakers debate whether public pressure can still influence politics in Iraq.

Register for virtual attendance ⤵️
https://t.co/9xNExUztWx

[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

[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.

[Abdulla Al-Kalisy @Akalisy]

Glad to have contributed to this new XCEPT brief, which explores how a geography long analysed through a security lens is becoming a commercial corridor. Drawing on interviews across Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, we map the infrastructure decisions determining whether the shift holds

[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]

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

[Zeidon Alkinani زيدون الكناني @z_alkinani]

It was an honor to join @IRISmideast to discuss on the economic implications of the Hormuz crisis and where I was able to share my humble perspective on what this means for the broader GCC economies alongside the esteemed panelists: Ambassador @MAShummary, @dianakaissy, and Dr. Mohammed Hassan Al Najjar.

Many thanks for Dr. @BilalWahab, President of @auisofficial for the kind invite and Dr. @mac_skelton, Executive Director of IRIS for managing and moderating. Also, a major appreciation to the IRIS team @shvannajm, @Akalisy for all the hard work.

@IRISmideast provides excellent research on the region's energy, economic, and geopolitical developments.

Full link:
https://t.co/TLKVUo8Qzg

[Abdulla Al-Kalisy @Akalisy]

Happy to share that I have joined Fiker Institute as a non-resident Senior Fellow.

I have admired the Institute's work for some time, and I’m excited to contribute and engage with such an esteemed group. Looking forward to the conversations and collaborations ahead.

[Fiker Institute @FikerInstitute]

Fiker Institute is proud to announce its 2026–2027 Fellows, a group of experts & researchers from seven countries across the Arab world. This cohort’s expertise spans foreign policy, development, & literary studies, reflecting the breadth of inquiry at the heart of our mission.

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

Out now! The 14th edition of the Iraq Economic Review (IER) examines the future of Iraq–GCC economic relations amid regional disruptions. Read the latest insights from IRIS researchers @z_alkinani and @Akalisy

https://t.co/Lw06wKokq1

[IRIS @IRISmideast]

IRIS hosted a roundtable discussion in Baghdad entitled “Iraq’s Regional Economic Integration: Towards Strengthening Cross-Border Trade,”
bringing together the Economic Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, and officials from the Ministries of Trade and Planning, as well as representatives from academia, the private sector, civil society organizations, and foreign diplomatic missions.

This research initiative, spanning Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, is supported by the @XCEPT_Research programme.

[Shvan @shvannajm]

Great to meet Ambassador @MAShummary, Dean of the Foreign Service Institure at the Iraq Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today in Baghdad to discuss collaboration with @IRISmideast at @auisofficial. @Akalisy

[Abdulla Al-Kalisy @Akalisy]

Some thoughts on developments in Iraq’s regional integration as a result of the war - looking closely at overlooked and perhaps under appreciated sectors that connect Iraq-GCC at the local level

[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]

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.

[Abdulla Al-Kalisy @Akalisy]

A short piece with my thoughts on the way the Iraqi football team and their accomplishments are celebrated, and what this tells us about evolving state-society relations

[Chatham House MENA @CH_MENAP]

'Football has shown, once more, that national accomplishment in the eyes of the public does not hinge on identity, only on a shared desire to better the country.'

@Akalisy examines what football reveals about state-society relations in Iraq.

Read on Kalam ⤵️
https://t.co/htdwowJiXB