The attack on Khor Mor undercuts the assurances of Iraq’s political leaders

The attack on Khor Mor undercuts the assurances of Iraq’s political leaders that the country is experiencing political stability. In reality, Iraq is in a phase of fragile calm that such strikes periodically puncture. For nearly a decade, Iraqi civilian and military officials have privately maintained that state security institutions are strong enough to prevent these attacks—often carried out by the same actors who have targeted US interests—yet there remains an insufficient will to use that capability. The strike also reflects an enduring mindset among some groups that political objectives are best pursued through force and intimidation rather than dialogue, persuasion or other civilian means.