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
Abadi, Maliki seek alliance with Iraq's Kurds Nearly two months since Iraq's parliamentary election, the winning parties are still discussing an alliance to form the new government. Iraq
Iraqi Shiites, Kurds siphon voter support from Sunnis Sunni parties lost a significant number of parliament seats in Iraq's May elections, continuing a yearslong decline. Iraq
Iraqi parties intensify calls to challenge election results Some Iraqi political parties are challenging the results of recent parliamentary elections, citing fraud and faulty electronic voting technology, but those who support the election results say a vote recount could lead to a civil war. Iraq
Iraq's pro-Iran factions shrug off congressional sanctions push Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Hezbollah Brigades have dismissed the effectiveness of possible new US sanctions against them and claim they might even be helpful. Iraq
Congress targets election winners in Iraq The House unanimously voted to sanction two Iran-backed militias in Iraq, one of which just won more than a dozen parliamentary seats. Iraq
As Iraqi elections end, power play begins for prime minister The Islamic Dawa party, which has held sway over Iraq's government for a dozen years, could lose its power to select the prime minister unless it can resolve major differences between its inner rivals and unify the party. Iraq
Iraq's Sadr sends positive sign to both the US and Iran In an attempt to prevent the United States and Iran from objecting to his move toward forming the new Iraqi government, Sadr sends positive messages to both, stating that he will not stand against them. Iraq
Iraq elections: Will Sadr seek a new beginning with Turkey? Ankara is welcoming Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s stand against foreign intervention and military presence — as long as it doesn't apply to Turkey. Iraq
Sadr alliance's win spurs hope among Baghdad poor Baghdad's poor, many of whom voted for Muqtada al-Sadr’s Sairoon Alliance, hope that the election result will lead to an improvement of their daily lives. Iraq
Iraqi election results leave Iran scrambling to preserve influence Iran is pushing its allies in Iraq, particularly the State of Law Coalition and the Fatah coalition, to form the largest bloc in the parliament in order to prevent Muqtada al-Sadr from leading the formation of the new government, which would affect Tehran's influence in the country. Iraq
Iranian media react to populist cleric's victory in Iraq elections There is some speculation in Iranian media that populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s election victory is tantamount to a greater Saudi role in Iraq. Saudi Arabia
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
