"As America's de facto co-belligerents who often share the same battlespace in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the presence and activity of Iraq's Shia warlords and their militias have an impact on U.S. interests and policies at both the strategic and operational levels. The objective of this monograph is to provide a better understanding of the Shia militia phenomenon and to highlight the factors with which U.S. policymakers and U.S. Army planners and commanders will have to deal with respect to operations in Iraq"--Publisher's web site.

"June 2015." Paper version available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office.

Introduction -- Developing the militias -- The militias' operational level significance : stemming the disaster -- The militias' strategic and political impact -- Implications for the United States -- The militias, sectarianism, and national reconciliation -- Looking toward the future : realities and implications -- Implications for landpower and recommendations.