Analysis After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government? Washington wants there to be no sanctioned groups in the next Iraqi government, a source told Al-Monitor, as the US and Iran compete for influence. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis What Turkey wants from Iraq to renew pipeline deal Ankara is pushing for full control over the pipeline’s Turkish section and a capacity-allocation system, as arbitration battles with Baghdad drag on. By David O'Byrne
Exclusive Iraq's Kurds air fury over PM Sudani's stance after attack on gas field “We were shocked at Sudani’s audacity. Imagine the state we would have been in had he gotten his way,” a senior Iraqi Kurdish official speaking not for attribution told Al-Monitor. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Former PM Kadhimi: Vote shows Iraqis turning toward new leadership Mustafa al-Kadhimi told Al-Monitor that the strong performances of parties that ran on their own, as opposed to those on lists, indicate a desire to shake up the status quo. Iraq
Analysis Iraq’s next PM? Shatri, Eidani, Kadhimi and others jostle for lead By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis How Iraq’s next government could shape the US-Iran rivalry By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Turkey to navigate enduring Iranian influence in Iraq following elections By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Power vacuum in Iraq leads to threats from pro-Iran faction Pro-Iran factions in Iraq worry that they could lose their political sway, having failed to keep one prime minister in power, then failing in their attempt to replace him, as they recognize the next candidate could be selected from outside their political circle with the support of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite rivals. Iraq
Iraq's political scene fragmented as time runs out for prime minister designate An Al-Monitor interview of members of parliament helps explain why Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi's nomination to become prime minister of Iraq hit the shoals. Iraq
Why is holding early elections a nearly impossible task in Iraq? Despite the promises of the Iraqi designate prime minister to hold early elections, it seems impossible to move forward with it. Iraq
Has Sadr lost the Iraqi street? Iraqi populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, after playing to the hopes and grievances of everyday Iraqis, may be losing some of his following as he plays for advantage among Iraq's political factions. Iraq
Iraqi prime minister-designate faces pressure on Cabinet choices Political pressure on the prime minister-designate, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, could bring him down before he even forms a government. Iraq
PMU factions set conditions for next Iraqi prime minister Some pro-Iran factions of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are demanding that candidates for prime minister meet their standards. Iraq
New electoral law raises controversy in Iraq Some Iraqi political parties are complaining that the new elections law passed by the parliament is unfair and unworkable without a census; protesters — who essentially caused legislators to pass the law — also are dissatisfied. Iraq
Iraq on brink of abyss: What happens next? The steadily increasing crisis in Iraq is getting deeper over time, opening the space for a total political collapse. Iraq
Judges to run Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission The Iraqi parliament voted on a new electoral commission that will consist of independent judges. Iraq
Iraq's Ninevah province turns back on Shiite forces The Ninevah provincial council has voted to replace a governor who was close to Iran-backed forces with a military man who is close to the United States. Iraq
Iraqi political blocs struggle to meet deadline to replace outgoing PM As the constitutional deadline arrives, Iraqi political parties seem unable to select a new prime minister. Iraq
What comes after Iraqi PM's resignation? Following the Iraqi prime minister's resignation, the parliament is to appoint a new prime minister and move forward with demanded reforms. Iraq
