The Scientific Review of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service

Cybersecurity is one of the important topics in today's world, and it is a topic that combines more than one specialization, as it is a security, economic, and political topic, whether internal or international, and given that many facilities are now managed by digital features and via Internet systems, and that citizens are increasingly dealing with institutions and their interests in a digital manner, the digital sector cannot be left without regulation, in light of the possibility of harming public and private interests through the use of tools that interfere with digital features, and steal, damage, or change programs and data, or use them in a way that harms the original owner of the programs and data. Countries have moved towards developing cybersecurity policies, and considered it part of national security, to deal with cases of hacking devices, disabling them, stealing their content, or harming the owner of digital devices, data, and programs. This trend comes due to the danger of digital transactions, in terms of their direct material damage, harm to public trust, and harm associated with the weakness of the state's ability to deal with preserving the interests of institutions and individuals. The research problem from which the research is based is related to the question: How does the cyber world end up placing its risks within national security policies? The research ends with an analysis of the concept of cyber security, and the relationship that links it to national security, then the research is conducted on cyber security in Iraq, and the most prominent challenges it suffers from, to be able to respond to cyber challenges and threats in today's world.

The National Strategy for Combating Terrorism 2021-2025 stressed the necessity of uniting all national efforts to confront terrorism and extremist ideology and work to uproot it from its roots, prevent its spread, dry up its funding sources, and neutralize its effects. This comes through crystallizing broad roles, duties, and responsibilities for all government departments and institutions and international non-governmental organizations. And local, based on the laws in force, and thus it became a complex and flexible strategy that did not rely only on the security option, but rather relied on the paths and capabilities of the government in various political, economic, social, legal, and cultural fields. Therefore, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service is aware of the idea of not neglecting the intellectual aspect of extremists and working to confront it without focusing solely on it. On the security side, this constitutes a shield for intellectual security.

The issue of "building peace and achieving sustainable security" stands as one of the most complex challenges facing states plagued by conflict, particularly in the post-war phase. Peace—as a condition aimed at fostering security, prosperity, and societal tranquility—is not as easily attained as the ignition of conflict; rather, it necessitates profound transformations in the behaviors of conflicting parties and the social structures that perpetuate violence. Such transformation is essential to enable these groups to accept and peacefully coexist with others who differ in objectives and interests Historical experience has consistently demonstrated that the process of peacebuilding and the consolidation of peaceful coexistence in the aftermath of conflict, especially among warring factions within a single state, is a laborious and protracted endeavor. This difficulty is largely attributed to religious, sectarian, and ethnic conflicts and their resulting negative repercussions, which significantly influence the timeline and feasibility of achieving peaceful coexistence among diverse groups. The longer such wars persist, the more intricate and challenging the task becomes for those responsible for implementing national reconciliation, fostering tolerance, and establishing peaceful coexistence. Herein lies the critical role of a national strategy in creating an environment conducive to sustainable security and genuine peacebuilding within society.

This study addresses the future of cyber power as one of the active elements in shaping the strategies of regional powers, focusing on Israel as a prominent model in this field. The cyber space has become a new arena for influence and conflict, used by countries to enhance their power, limit the influence of their adversaries, and achieve political and security gains without resorting to traditional power. This research highlights how Israel, in light of the multiple challenges it faces, is moving towards developing its cyber capabilities as a strategic tool to compensate for weaknesses in other areas and to build an unconventional deterrent that enhances its position in its regional environment. The research focuses on analyzing Iran's cyber motives, objectives, challenges it faces, as well as the potential scenarios for the future use of this power within the context of conflicts in the Middle East.

This research addresses the Kosovo crisis as a pivotal turning point in the history of international relations in the post–Cold War era. It analyzes the historical and political context of the ethnic conflict in the region of Kosovo, culminating in the 1999 international military intervention led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The study investigates the implications of this intervention on the structure of the international system and on prevailing concepts such as national sovereignty and humanitarian intervention.
The research is based on the hypothesis that the military intervention in Kosovo marked a transformative moment in the rules governing the use of force at the international level. It broke the traditional prohibition on the use of force without explicit authorization from the United Nations Security Council, under the justification of the "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P) and the prevention of crimes against humanity.
The study explores the roots of the crisis by analyzing the historical, geopolitical, and demographic factors that contributed to the escalation of conflict between Serbs and Albanians. It follows the outbreak of the war and the decision of the international community to intervene militarily without international consensus. Furthermore, the research examines the roles of various international actors—such as the United States, the European Union, and Russia—and how the Kosovo crisis represented a sharp intersection between Western and Russian interests, ultimately becoming a model for the conflict of wills over the shape of the new world order.
The study also considers the impact of the intervention on international legitimacy and its consequences for relations among the great powers, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions in the third millennium. The research concludes that the use of force in the Kosovo crisis produced a non-traditional model of humanitarian intervention, reshaped the boundaries of international legitimacy, and cast a long shadow over the concepts of sovereignty and collective security. Consequently, Kosovo has become a living example of the delicate balance between legal and political considerations in the management of international crises.

This research analytically examines the operational and intelligence role of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) during the period 2014–2023, a pivotal phase marked by escalating security threats following the takeover of large swathes of Iraqi territory by the terrorist organization ISIS. It traces the military and security operations undertaken to liberate cities and restore national sovereignty. The study highlights how the CTS evolved from conventional engagement to adopting highly precise tactical and intelligence-based strategies that had a direct impact in defeating terrorism and limiting its capacity to regenerate.
The research is divided into two main axes. The first focuses on the operational efforts of the CTS in major liberation battles such as Amerli, Mosul Dam, Fallujah, Tikrit, Mosul, Anbar, and Hawija. It analyzes planning mechanisms, deployment strategies, coordination with other forces, and the decisive frontline role played by the CTS. The second axis sheds light on the post-2017 evolution of intelligence performance, where the Service shifted toward preemptive strikes and dismantling sleeper cells through precision operations supported by advanced technical and intelligence capabilities, along with cooperation from the international coalition and local populations.
The research relies on statistical analysis and real-world field operations, highlighting qualitative indicators of performance accuracy, intelligence effectiveness, and the competence of the Iraqi fighter. It also discusses the CTS’s adherence to rules of engagement rooted in humanitarian principles, its role in managing displacement and relief efforts, and its integration of military and civilian efforts—factors that have positioned it as one of the most prominent security institutions in the region.
The study concludes that the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service has established an advanced security model in combating terrorism, effectively integrating high operational capacity with professional intelligence performance to support the development of sustainable security grounded in deterrence, prevention, and institutional integration.

This study explores the qualitative transformation witnessed in the nature of combat during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip in 2023, by highlighting the extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in military operations. It examines how the Israeli entity employed advanced systems including unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), combat robots, precision-guided munitions, and autonomous analytical platforms, marking a clear shift toward automated warfare. The analysis focuses on the operational and intelligence dimensions of these technologies and their impact on the nature of engagement in densely populated urban environments such as Gaza.

The research evaluates the implications of this technological deployment on concepts of deterrence and military legitimacy and compares the experience with similar patterns observed in the Russia–Ukraine war. It also highlights the legal and ethical challenges associated with the widespread use of autonomous weapon systems, which often lack human judgment in target selection—resulting in mass civilian casualties and the destruction of critical infrastructure.

In light of these findings, the study concludes that artificial intelligence has become a decisive element in modern warfare. This reality requires states, including Iraq, to reformulate their military doctrines, enhance their capabilities in cyber warfare, intelligent command systems, and cost-effective air defense—all while adhering to the principles of international humanitarian law.

Terrorism remains one of the most critical challenges confronting states in the modern era, given its direct threat to national security and societal peace. In the Iraqi context, the phenomenon of terrorism escalated rapidly after 2003, compelling the state to adopt a series of exceptional measures. These included the formulation of a specialized legal framework and engagement in wide-ranging international cooperation to address transnational threats. This study aims to analyze the legislative and security policies adopted by Iraq in combating terrorism, with a specific focus on the Anti-Terrorism Law No. 13 of 2005, which constitutes the cornerstone of the national legal framework.
The first section of the study provides a critical reading of the law’s content, examining its legislative structure, its role in criminalizing terrorist acts, imposing penalties, and addressing the challenges related to the protection of human rights. It also discusses the mechanisms for compensating victims of terrorism, highlighting the efforts made by the state through legal and regulatory measures—particularly Law No. 20 of 2009 and its amendments.
In its second section, the study explores the dimensions of Iraq’s international cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism, especially with NATO and the European Union, through training programs, armament support, and intelligence-sharing. It demonstrates how such partnerships have contributed to enhancing the efficiency and capabilities of Iraq’s security institutions.
The research concludes that Iraq’s effectiveness in combating terrorism depends on maintaining a balance between security and human rights, integrating national legal frameworks with international support, and the necessity of reforming national policies in alignment with international standards and the rule of law.