National Security Advisor of Iraq

Profile narrative

The Iraqi National Security Advisor serves as the senior official responsible for providing counsel to the country’s highest executive authorities on matters of national security. The role entails assessing threats, formulating policy recommendations, and ensuring coherence among various security institutions. It involves regular briefings to the Prime Minister and the President on domestic and international developments that could affect Iraq’s stability. The advisor also oversees the integration of intelligence gathered by civilian and military agencies. This function positions the office at the centre of Iraq’s strategic decision‑making process.

Operating at the national level, the office interfaces with ministries such as Defence, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice, as well as with intelligence services like the National Intelligence Service and the Counter Terrorism Bureau. Its reach extends to provincial security coordinators and to Iraq’s diplomatic missions abroad, where security considerations are conveyed. While no explicit staff numbers are disclosed in the source material, the advisory function inherently requires a small, highly cleared team of analysts and policy experts. The office’s activities are confined to the territory of Iraq and to the country’s external relations. This scope underscores its role as a central hub for national security coordination.

A distinguishing attribute of the Iraqi National Security Advisor is the direct access it grants to the head of state, allowing immediate transmission of assessments and advice. The position is characterised by its cross‑sectoral mandate, bridging defence, internal security, foreign policy, and intelligence domains. The office’s involvement in the 2018 cyberattack incident, where Turkish‑state‑backed actors targeted the advisor’s communications, highlights its relevance to emerging threats such as cyber espionage. This incident demonstrated that the advisor’s non‑classified systems can be targeted, underscoring the need for robust cyber hygiene. Such exposure sets the office apart from more narrowly focused security entities.

Structurally, the Iraqi National Security Advisor is a civilian appointment within the executive branch of the Iraqi government, reporting directly to the Prime Minister and, by extension, to the President. It is not a military command nor a standalone agency, but rather a staff office that supports the leadership. The advisor’s office is situated in Iraq, consistent with the headquarters location indicated in the source material. As a government position, it is subject to Iraqi civil service regulations and oversight mechanisms.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.