The Iraqi Refugee Crisis—Bearing Witness

The conflict in Iraq has created the greatest refugee crisis the Middle East has seen in fifty years, with more than four million Iraqis fleeing their homes. An estimated two million are refugees in neighboring countries, while another 2.5 million are internally displaced.

At this panel sponsored by the OSI Middle East & North Africa Initiative, journalist George Packer discussed Betrayed, his new play about the treatment of Iraqis who risked their lives to work for U.S. forces, and photographer Lori Grinker screened a short multimedia film about Iraqi refugees in Jordan.

They were joined by Refugees International advocate Kristele Younes, who recently returned from a fact-finding mission in the Middle East, and Omer Salih Mahdi, an Iraqi doctor, journalist, and documentary film director, to discuss the humanitarian and political implications of the refugee crisis.

Anthony Richter, Director of the OSI Middle East & North Africa Initiative, introduced the event.

The Open Forum speaker series aims to enhance policy debate on key issues facing Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Middle East, and to raise public awareness of important developments in these regions. Monthly Open Forum events are held in New York and Washington, DC, and are attended by leading policymakers, scholars, NGO staff, and journalists. All events are free of charge.

Homepage photo ©Lori Grinker