Iraqi ministers fall like dominoes as Maliki's bloc targets Abadi

A parliamentary bloc led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is behind the recent dismissal of several ministers as part of a plan to bring down the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and pave the way for Nouri al-Maliki's nomination in the coming election.

Iraq

Sunni blocs oppose legal immunity for Popular Mobilization Units

The Shiite Iraqi National Alliance is to propose legal immunity for the Popular Mobilization Units, but Sunni blocs in parliament are likely to object to the proposal.

Iraq

Foreign policy mishaps prove costly for Turkish contractors

The AKP government’s foreign policy blunders have cost Turkish contractors abroad $16 billion of revenue losses.

Iraq

Why is Iraq not profiting from religious tourism?

While the number of Shiite pilgrims to Iraqi holy sites has been increasing significantly since 2003, Iraq has failed to benefit economically.

Iraq

Iraq’s technocrat ministers under threat

Recently elected Iraqi independent, technocrat ministers face threats from militants without having adequate support from the political parties.

Iraq

What's the status of IMF loan as Iraq dismisses finance minister?

The International Monetary Fund has granted a $3 billion loan to Iraq; however, parliament and the government have not yet reached an agreement over the loan conditions.

Iraq

Abadi orders weapons caches out of Baghdad in wake of deadly blast

In the wake of a horrific explosion at a weapons cache site that killed four people, Iraq's prime minister has ordered that arms depots be removed from residential areas in Baghdad and other cities.

Iraq

Decline of higher education in Iraq continues

Despite several recent achievements, Iraq's universities still suffer from poor management, corruption and sectarianism.

Iraq

Attacks spark fears that Iraq's 'liberated areas' aren't free of IS

Islamic State fighters are still launching attacks against Iraq’s security forces in the liberated areas, indicating that there are still some IS enclaves and cells present on the edges of the cities.

Iraq

Iraqis already arguing over land they haven't yet freed from IS

As efforts advance to liberate Mosul, the capital of Ninevah province, disputes are brewing over proposals to divide up the governorate.

Iraq

Will Iranian pilgrims forsake Mecca for Karbala?

Iran and Saudi Arabia are expanding the conflict over Islamic religious sites as they continue to exploit religion for their political interests.

Saudi Arabia

Veteran French diplomat: EU should play greater role in resolving Syria crisis

French diplomat Alain Le Roy discusses the European Union's "unstable" and "insecure" borders and its greater challenge of resolving the crisis in Syria.

Palestine