Analysis How Iraq’s next government could shape the US-Iran rivalry Millions of Iraqis headed to the polls last week to vote, but it could be months before a new government takes shape. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iraq’s Shiite alliance meets to chart strategy after Sudani comes first in election The final results of last week’s election showed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s list winning 46 seats in parliament, the most of any party, though he is not guaranteed to remain in his current role. Iraq
Analysis Turkey to navigate enduring Iranian influence in Iraq following elections Ankara will have to navigate Iran-aligned factions’ influence in Iraq while safeguarding strategic ties and ongoing cooperation with Baghdad. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Sudani ahead in early Iraq vote count, path to power uncertain Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is not guaranteed to stay on even if his list wins. Iraq
Analysis Will Iraq’s election results reshape Iran’s role in Baghdad? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Turkey eyes continuity in Iraq as elections test Sudani’s pro-Ankara momentum By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Violence taints election in Iraq's Kurdistan region Several cities in Iraq's Kurdistan region witnessed violence following recent parliamentary elections on May 12, leading to calls from Kurdish opposition parties for the results to be canceled. Iraq
Iraqi election results shock political class The preliminary results of the Iraqi elections are out, indicating a victory for the Sadrist movement and the PMU coalition. Iraq
Eager to vote, Iraq's displaced faced obstacles on election day Promises of jobs and support to rebuild their homes sent many of Iraq's internally displaced in search of voting stations that would allow them to cast their vote on May 12. Iraq
Is Iraqi PM counting on Sunni, Kurdish votes for re-election? Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appears to be counting on Sunni and Kurdish votes to win the next election, with visits to traditional Kurdish and Sunni strongholds. Iraq
Candidates' past ties to Saddam create uproar in Iraq's Kurdistan Region Despite the Kurdistan Regional Government's strong rhetoric against Saddam Hussein and his collaborators, several Kurdish figures who worked with the former Iraqi president's Baath regime are participating in the upcoming elections. Iraq
Will Iraqi elections avoid traditional sectarian divides? While the May 12 elections include Shiite candidates running in predominantly Sunni areas and vice versa, Iraqis are divided over whether or not this represents a step toward overcoming sectarian divides. Iraq
Iraq's top Shiite cleric denounces militias' electoral list The electoral coalition of the Popular Mobilization Units has come under criticism from Iraqi's highest Shiite religious leader for invoking the group's military victories for electoral gain. Iraq
Preparations in place for Iraqi parliamentary elections Iraqi election officials are keeping a close eye on the voting process this week, as some clerics and activists raise concerns about possible corruption and critics question the reliability of the country's new electronic voting system. Iraq
