Subject: Iraq Focus Groups
From: "Ken Wollack" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2017 13:41:41 -0400

I thought you would be interested in receiving the attached results of
NDI's recent focus group research in Iraq.

While policymakers are thinking about governance in post-liberation Mosul,
we thought it would be helpful to explore attitudes of residents from the
city and the larger Ninewa Province, which is comprised of predominantly
Sunni and other minority populations.  Focus groups were held in Ninewa
Province, including Mosul, with Sunni IDPs currently residing in Erbil
along with with the majority Sunni provinces of Saladin and Anbar.
Additional focus groups were held in the Shia areas of Baghdad and Basra.

*Three unexpected findings from participants in the focus groups: 1.the
growing popularity of  Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is credited with
successfully fighting ISIS and rebuilding the army; a marked improvement in
perceptions of the Iraqi Army; and 3. a feeling that decentralization will
only make the country weaker and more fractured, preferring instead a more
effective central government.     *

NDI is conducting a nationwide poll, with oversampling in Ninewa Province,
including Mosul, which will be completed later this month.

Please let me know if you have any questions or want additional
information.

With best regards,

Ken

Kenneth Wollack
President
National Democratic Institute
455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
202-728-5500 <(202)%20728-5500> (Tel)
888-875-2887 <(888)%20875-2887> (Fax)
email: [email-masked]
website: www.ndi.or