Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too 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
As calls for disbanding Iraq's PMU rise, its influence expands The voices of Iraq's Western allies are rising against the Popular Mobilization Units, demanding the dissolution of these forces, while the PMU is expanding its influence in the Iraqi state, making Prime Minister Haider al-Abbadi face tough choices. Iraq
After decades of suppression, Baha'is celebrate publicly in Baghdad Baha'is are celebrating a religious event publicly in Baghdad for the first time in their history in Iraq, as they gathered to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Baha’i faith founder Baha'u'llah. Iraq
Kurds claim Turkish airstrike targeted refugee camp in Iraq Fingers are pointed at Turkey as the dust clears from an explosion that killed five people in an Iraq refugee camp for displaced Kurds. Iraq
Election wranglers manipulate fate of displaced Iraqis The crisis of the displaced within Iraq has become a tool in the hands of political parties exploiting it for advantage in the upcoming election. Iraq
Delay looks likely for Iraq elections, currently set for May Iraq may wind up postponing its elections, currently set for the spring, because the legislature's lengthy struggle to pass a new elections law has extended beyond a constitutional deadline. Not everyone would be upset by a delay. Iraq
Nightclubs, cafes still risky business for Iraqi women Young women working in Iraq's nightclubs, casinos and even cafes often find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous business owners and even mafiosos, in addition to suffering from public condemnation and little government protection. Iraq
Iraqis fear earthquakes, terrorism could lead to dam catastrophe Although the recent earthquakes did not cause serious damage to Iraq’s dams, specialists are calling for continuous maintenance to ensure they are not demolished in the future, leading to a disaster in Iraq. Iraq
KRG parliament speaker calls for rethinking strategy in Baghdad talks The speaker of Iraqi Kurdistan's parliament, Yusuf Mohammed Sadiq, is calling for the establishment of new mechanisms of governance in the region. Iraq
Christian school in Basra welcomes Muslim students For the first time since the 1970s, an interfaith Christian school is set to open in the conservative Iraqi city of Basra. Iraq
What next for PMU in Iraq's Anbar province? The flags of a powerful Shiite fighting force still fly from the main bridge into the Iraqi border town of Qaim weeks after it was retaken from the Islamic State. Iraq
Proposed US sanctions on PMU put Iraq in tough spot Proposed sanctions against factions of the Shiite-dominated Popular Mobilization Units would place the Iraqi government squarely in the middle of a tug of war between Iran and the United States. Iraq
Iraq steps up efforts to stop smuggling of rare species Smuggling rare animal species out of Iraq has become common due to lax enforcement of laws and the country's security situation, but the federal government is making renewed efforts to halt the smuggling. Iraq
