Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know President Donald Trump was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, who was seen as close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him. Iraq
Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him. Iraq
Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know Two other candidates have emerged as alternatives to Coordination Framework nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is openly opposed by the Trump administration. Iraq
Exclusive 'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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
Iraqi air force targets IS sites in Syria ahead of elections Despite earlier opposition to any Iraqi military intervention in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the air force to strike Islamic State sites in Syria for the second time this year. 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
Iraqi calligraphers try to revive their art Iraq's recently liberated Anbar province hosted an Islamic calligraphy festival to return the craft to the cultural and artistic forefront. Iraq
Moscow’s Iraq strategy: Make lots of friends Russia’s approach in Iraq and the region involves comprehensive cooperation with as many players as possible. Iraq
Turkey woos Iraqi provincial leaders to rekindle relations Ankara hopes its diplomatic efforts in the Shiite-dominated southern provinces of Iraq will improve Turkey's political standing with Baghdad. 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
Saudi Arabia, Iran vie for economic influence in Iraq Saudi Arabia is seeking to enter the Iraqi market aggressively, along with a political presence, and increase the competition with its opponent Iran in the Iraqi arena. Saudi Arabia
