US troops in Iraq shift to Erbil to focus on ISIS in Syria The US mission against the Islamic State is relocating its headquarters and most of its troops from Baghdad to Erbil as the prime minister's coalition faces reelection in November. Iraq
Iraqi cleric Sadr says he is ready for ‘escalation’ as tensions heat up ahead of elections Muqtada al-Sadr has reaffirmed his intention to boycott the November elections following an alleged assassination attempt against him, leaving the country's political future uncertain. Iraq
Pentagon: B-2 strikes set back Iran's nuclear program 1-2 years Operation Midnight Hammer led to the "total obliteration of Iran's nuclear ambitions," a Pentagon spokesperson said. Iranian officials have told Al-Monitor they intend to continue to enrich uranium domestically. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Iraq still without parliament speaker five months after Halbusi’s ouster Previous parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi was removed from office in November, and parliament has yet to agree on a successor amid political controversies, including allegations related to former ruler Saddam Hussein. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Iraqi political parties woo celebrities for election campaign Some of Iraq’s political parties seek to bring mass media celebrities on board for the upcoming legislative elections. Iraq
Anbar tribes key to security, political backing ahead of Iraq's October vote Following the introduction of a new electoral law and with many of the region’s population still looking more toward their tribes for protection than the central government, Iraq’s Sunni-dominant Anbar province is likely to be highly affected by tribal relations and figures in the October elections. Iraq
No plans for full US withdrawal from Iraq, top general says The United States may be leaving Afghanistan but troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future, the CENTCOM commander told Congress. Iraq
Iraq’s new political parties seek funds from citizens New parties have an uphill battle to compete in Iraq's political system. Iraq
Iraq passes $89 billion federal budget bill The budget confronted issues of unemployment, currency devaluation and non-oil revenues and was passed as lawmakers prepare for October's general election; the challenge is implementation. Iraq
Iraq’s general elections pushed to October The added time shores up Baghdad’s preparations for a more legitimate election process; but time is running out for protesters who fear the government will ignore their demands. Iraq
Iraqi parties scramble ahead of new October election date The High Electoral Commission’s need for additional time to update constituents' records requires that the government postpone early elections until October, while political parties publicly oppose the new date and secretly support it. Iraq
Iraqi government presses ahead with early elections next year The Iraqi government is striving to make the legal and political preparations for elections in June 2021, amid multiple political and security challenges. Iraq
France signs financing agreement with UN to support Iraqi elections The UN-France deal supports Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission ahead of early elections slated for next summer. Iraq
Iraqi parliament votes on final version of electoral law Iraq's Council of Representatives voted on the electoral law, which, if passed, will put forward the program for early elections scheduled for next June. Iraq
Iraqi youths form political parties to join early elections Groups of young people set up political parties as they seek to take part in early elections next year, in an attempt to present themselves as an alternative to the existing parties. Iraq
Iraqi prime minister presses ahead with promise of early elections Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has committed to early elections, but Iraq's political blocs may resist. Iraq
