Head of PMU faction talks Iraqi politics, US relations

The head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Qais al-Khazali, spoke to Al-Monitor about the Iraqi organization's history with the United States and current political positions.

Iraq

Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea.

Iraq

Kurdish opposition warns fraud, intimidation to taint upcoming election

As the Iraq Kurdistan Region prepares to hold its parliamentary elections Sept. 30, the opposition is deeply concerned about voter fraud by the two ruling parties.

Iraq

Will US sanctions succeed in isolating Iraqi Shiite factions?

As the United States intensifies its activities against Iran in the region, it has also increased pressure on Iraqi factions backed by Iran. Yet the influence that these factions have in Iraq limits the effects of such pressures.

Iraq

Iraqi women push for cafes of their own

Iraqi women have started opening women-only cafes and restaurants where they can just avoid harassment.

Iraq

Powerful Shiite trio agrees on Iraqi prime minister candidate

A Beirut meetup of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah and Iran's Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani appears to have produced a compromise candidate for Iraq's next prime minister.

Iraq

Dozens of Basra activists arrested

Shiite militias in Basra arrested dozens of civil rights activists for participating in demonstrations and accused the US Consulate of instigating the demonstrations.

Iraq

Congress takes aim at pro-Iran election winners in Iraq

US lawmakers are preparing sanctions as Tehran presses Baghdad to form a government friendly to its interests.

Iraq

Turkey extends flight ban to Sulaimaniyah

Turkey seems to be expressing its opposition to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's candidate for the Iraqi presidency by extending its ban on flights to Sulaimaniyah, but the move may represent the extent of Ankara's influence over political machinations in Baghdad.

Iraq

Iran's influence continues to shape new Iraqi government

After Iran succeeded in pushing through its preferred candidate for Iraq's parliament speaker, Tehran continued its pressure to secure the position of second deputy speaker, bringing the "score" to 2-0 against the US.

Iraq

Kurds need to narrow down choices for Iraqi president

The two largest Kurdish political parties in Iraq are likely to agree eventually on a presidential candidate, but in the meantime several hats are in the ring.

Iraq

Iranians lash out at preferential treatment of pilgrims

While many Iranians have criticized the authorities’ decision to allow visa fees for the Arbaeen pilgrimage to be paid at the secondary foreign currency market rate, the move could, in reality, be filling the administration’s coffers.

Iraq