Iraqi elections

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister of Iraq Ali al-Zaidi during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, July 14, 2026.

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.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

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.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, DC, July 14, 2026.

Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies

President Donald Trump emphasized Iraq’s “tremendous oil reserves” and possible deals with US companies.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at a Council of Ministers meeting in Baghdad on July 11, 2026.

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Iraq taps Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US

Krikor Der-Hagopian at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, on April 16, 2025.

Iraq arrests deputy oil minister in anti-corruption push

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Can Iraq absorb Iran-backed militias without deepening Tehran’s influence?

Hawre Khalid/Getty Images

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Iraq’s Sadr moves to place his militia under state control: What to know

Iraqis walk past portraits of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, including one on a banner calling for a boycott of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Sadr City, east of Baghdad on October 29, 2025. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Iraq on 11 November 2025, which will determine the 329 members of Iraq's Council of Representatives, who are responsible for electing the country's president and approving the appointment of the prime minister. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani addresses the Iraqi parliament on Oct. 27, 2022.

Will Iraq’s new anti-corruption campaign succeed?

New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani started his government by announcing an anti-corruption program. Many great challenges, however, remain in his way.

Motorists commute near the Iraqi Intelligence Service headquarters in Baghdad's Green Zone on Nov. 7, 2021.

Iraqi prime minister to head Intelligence Service

New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani removed Raid Jouhi from the head of the Iraqi Intelligence Service, deciding to head the organization himself until a new head is selected.

Iraqi Prime Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with his Cabinet on Oct. 28, 2022, in Baghdad.

Iraq-Iran ties likely to improve under new Iraqi PM

Iran played a key role in helping form the new Iraqi government.

Iraqi parliament in Baghdad.

Iraq's new government outlines priorities

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces multiple challenges and constituencies to move his agenda.

Iraq Human Rights Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Iraqi parliament set to vote on new government

One year after Iraq's elections, the designated prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, stands poised to form Iraq's newest government.

A protester waves an Iraqi national flag in Tahrir Square on Oct. 25, 2022.

Despite harsh stances, Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr still useful ally for Iran

Iran sees Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as an ally worth keeping despite his harsh criticisms of Iran and its allies in Iraq.

Iraq's newly-elected President Abdul Latif Rashid waves during his inauguration and handover ceremony at al-Salam Palace in the capital Baghdad on Oct. 17, 2022.

New Iraqi president takes office, government expected next week

Iraq's new president commenced his duties, and the designated prime minister will form his Cabinet next week.

Kadhimi in Erbil

Iraqi PM, in Erbil, makes case for national dialogue

Iraq's political deadlock continues amid fear of a new wave of violence erupting in the streets.

Supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr clash with Iraqi security forces in Liberation Square in the centre of Iraq's capital Baghdad on Sept. 28, 2022, during a parliament session in the nearby high-security Green Zone across the Tigris river.

Clashes rock Baghdad's Green Zone as Iraqi parliament re-elects speaker

Iraqi parliament re-elected Mohammed al-Halbusi as parliament speaker amid protests and rockets in the Green Zone.

Mohammed al-Halbusi.

Iraqi parliament speaker resigns

Iraqi parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi resigned from his post but is expected to be re-elected.

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi shake hands during a meeting in New York.

Iraqi prime minister emphasizes Iraq's role in regional stability at UN

The Iraqi prime minister highlighted Iraq's main issues and the country's regional and international significance at the UN General Assembly.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi meets Jordanian King Abdullah at the UN General Assembly's high-level week in September 2022.

Interview

Iraq’s political class must address 'crisis of trust,' says PM

In an exclusive interview, Mustafa al-Kadhimi also discusses Iraq’s shift to regional hub for diplomacy and economic progress despite strong political headwinds.

Mustafa al-Kadhimi

Mustafa al-Kadhimi

Prime Minister of Iraq