Countering the hidden hand: a study of Iranian influence in Iraq
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Authors
O’Connor, Patrick R.
Subjects
Daesh
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
ISIS
Islamic State
IS
Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ISIL
Social Movement Theory
SMT
Social Network Analysis
SNA
unconventional warfare
UW
Irregular Warfare
IW
Human Domain Mapping
influence
Iran
Iraq
brokerage
politics
political
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
ISIS
Islamic State
IS
Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ISIL
Social Movement Theory
SMT
Social Network Analysis
SNA
unconventional warfare
UW
Irregular Warfare
IW
Human Domain Mapping
influence
Iran
Iraq
brokerage
politics
political
Advisors
Lee, Doowan
Date of Issue
2015-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to illuminate the pathways of Iranian influence in Iraq in order to provide U.S. decision makers with a possible strategy to counter Iran’s malignant influence there. By using a combination of social network analysis and social movement theory, this study illuminates the network of actors fighting Daesh in Iraq by first analyzing the network to map Iran’s influence channels and identify macro- and micro-level brokerage within the network. Using a social-movement focused approach, this study then identifies a candidate group for mobilization. Study of the network reveals that Iranian influence is exerted via its sponsored Shi’a militias and by conducting bloc recruitment of tribal militias. To counter this, the Jubouri tribal confederation located in Salahuddin Province offers high potential for mobilization under U.S. sponsorship that could be used to combat Iranian influence.
Type
Thesis
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.