Chairman Poe on the hearing: “Iran’s growing influence across the Middle East presents a major threat to the United States and its interests. In Iraq in particular, Tehran’s proxies pose a serious challenge to ensuring ISIS remains defeated and maintaining stability in the country as it rebuilds. With dangerous militias that are loyal to Iran, such as Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, gaining more political power in Baghdad, there are real concerns that Iraq could descend again into sectarian conflict or become a client state to Tehran. This hearing will examine Iran’s malign influence in Iraq and consider if more militias backed by Iran should be considered for terrorism sanctions.”

Opening Statements

Full text of Chairman Ted Poe’s opening statement

Witnesses

Mr. Behnam Ben Taleblu
Research Fellow
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Kimberly Kagan, Ph.D.
President
Institute for the Study of War
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Michael Pregent
Senior Fellow
Hudson Institute
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

The Honorable Barbara Leaf
Rosenblatt Distinguished Visiting Fellow
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)