Analysis What Zaidi's Washington visit means for US investment in Iraq Iraq could greatly benefit from US investment in gas capture, which could help reduce the country's dependence on neighboring Iran. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
In Trump meeting, Iraq PM says US troops to withdraw by Sept. 30 The White House appeared to support a deadline to remove remaining American counter-ISIS troops from Iraq, but security concerns among Washington's Kurdish partners and US business firms remain. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies President Donald Trump emphasized Iraq’s “tremendous oil reserves” and possible deals with US companies. Iraq
Analysis On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow Iraq's new prime minister is in Washington promising business deals and closer ties with the United States, but convincing the Trump administration he can rein in Iran-backed militias may prove his toughest challenge. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Can Iraq absorb Iran-backed militias without deepening Tehran’s influence? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Sadr and independents biggest winners under Iraq's new election law The new election law was beneficial for large political blocs and independents, but it also harmed a number of large blocs whose presence in the new parliament has become almost marginal. Iraq
Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election. Iran
Security forces, IDPs cast votes early in Iraq's parliamentary elections Early voting has opened in Iraq’s parliamentary elections. Iraq
Iraqi elections begin with strict measurements to prevent fraud In a first of its kind, Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission is excluding candidates from the early elections due to electoral campaign and law violations, raising expectations the elections will be different this time. Iraq
Iraqi Sadrists envision role as broker of next government After once threatening to sit out the elections, the Sadrist movement has embarked on a media and political campaign to increase election turnout. Iraq
Iraq to close airports, borders for October election Iraqi authorities have prioritized security in the lead-up to the first election since 2018. News Brief
Iraq's top Shiite cleric calls for voting in upcoming elections Top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called upon Iraqis to participate in the elections in large numbers and vote wisely. Iraq
Iraq’s Sunni parties compete for votes in crucial election Iraqi Sunnis are weighing whether to vote for candidates on a tribal or party-linked basis, try for independents or maybe not even vote at all. Iraq
Iraqi leaders sign electoral code of conduct The agreement among Iraqi parties comes in light of ongoing efforts by Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government to reunite political blocs ahead of the October elections. Iraq
Iraq focuses on voter security ahead of elections The Iraqi government has already thwarted attempts at fraud and election rigging ahead of Oct. 10. Iraq
Iraqi protest groups will sit out October elections Iraqi protest groups, which have emerged since October 2019, are calling for wholesale reform of the Iraqi political system. Iraq
Iraqi government says it thwarted cyber plot to rig elections Iraqi authorities succeeded in uncovering plans by cyber hackers to rig the elections, which may end up persuading Iraqi voters to cast their ballots in October. Iraq