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? Tehran's sway over Baghdad is facing new challenges, with fatigued allies, US pressure and postwar regional shifts redefining Iran's influence in its most strategic neighbor. 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
Iraqi finance minister resigns over continuing political crisis Finance Minister Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi has resigned from his post in the Iraqi government. Iraq
Understanding Iraq's Coordination Framework The Coordination Framework is an umbrella bloc of Iraqi Shiite parties united mostly by their opposition to the Sadrist movement. Iraq
What Iraq's rival Shiite forces want The Shiite political parties are split into two rival camps, the Sadrists and the Coordination Framework, which is far less than unified. Iraq
Kurdish leaders meet as Iraqi political deadlock continues Iraq’s two major Kurdish parties have been trying to reach a compromise between the two, but to no avail. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Iraqi rival parties can't agree on path to new elections Although Iraq's two rival Shiite groups, the Sadrists and the Coordination Framework, both agreed on early elections, they can't agree on the details. Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr uses street pressure to set political conditions for his rivals Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr vowed that new elections would be held as his followers flocked to a mass prayer in the occupied parts of Baghdad’s Green Zone after 10 months of political deadlock. Iraq
Iraqi government initiates dialogue to end national crisis Iraqi and international leaders are responding positively to the prime minister's call fior national dialogue among the various political parties. Iraq
Rival Shiite forces flex muscles in two protests in Baghdad Speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammed al-Halbusi suspended parliament in response to Sadrist protesters who have occupied the Green Zone, closing down for now the prospects of a government formation. Iraq
Iraqi Sadrist protesters storm parliament Sadrist protesters stormed parliament today, rejecting the formation of the government under the premiership of Muhammad Shia Sudani, who was nominated recently by a rival Shia colaition. Iraq
Following tape leak, Sadr demands Maliki quit Iraqi politics The escalating conflict between Muqtada al-Sadr and Nouri al-Maliki has raised further barriers to the formation of a new government. Iraq
Militias target again Iraq’s intelligence service Since Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took office in mid-2020, extremist Shiite militias have been trying to undermine the National Intelligence Service, which he has been heading since 2016. Iraq
Sadr withdrawal from Iraqi parliament challenges Shiite rivals Populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdrew his party members from Iraq's Council of Representatives, introducing a new level of uncertainty into Iraqi politics. Iraq
