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Iraq

May 3, 2026

Baghdad 9:36 pm

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Zaidi

Analysis

Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom

Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Ali Al-Zaidi

Analysis

US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM

Trump signals hope for a "tremendous new chapter” in US-Iraq ties with the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Crops of wheat and barley in Terbol village on May 10, 2022, in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon.

Analysis

MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers

Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Iraq's prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, at Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office on April 28, 2026.

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.

Latest News

Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate

Prime Minister Mohammed S. al-Sudani met with Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on April 28, 2026.

Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know

Ali al-Zaidi

Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know

Qais al-Khazali (L), head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group, stands along with former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki after casting their ballots at a polling station in Baghdad on Nov. 11, 2025.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

FILE PHOTO Members of the Iraqi parliament gather to vote on Iraq's new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, September 8, 2014. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo - RTX2N0L2

Iraqi Parliament approves controversial amnesty law

After numerous delays, the Iraqi parliament approved an amnesty law that addresses Sunni and Shiite grievances stemming from post-2003 prosecutions.

Iraqi security forces check the trunk of a vehicle at a checkpoint, as security measures increase in the west of Baghdad, February 29, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTS8KWW

Baghdad considers security overhaul

After years of various security plans failed to halt terrorist attacks in the Iraqi capital, the Interior Ministry's latest proposal is now under evaluation.

Iraqi Sunni Muslim tribesmen walk with their weapons during a patrol in Anbar province in this March 3, 2014 picture. Government forces are fighting rebellious Sunni tribes and al-Qaeda splinter group, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in western Anbar province. Picture taken March 3, 2014. REUTERS/Ali al-Mashhadani (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTR3G33Q

Where does tribal influence fit in Iraqi politics?

Even high-level Iraqi politicians are turning to their tribes for support in resolving political disputes, a traditional resource that finds itself at odds with democratic state-building.

Shi’ite paramilitary groups known as Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) take part in a military parade at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, Iraq, July 14, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSHU3N

Sunni fear grows as PMU participation in Mosul battle confirmed

Iraqi government approved officially the participation of the Popular Mobilization Units in the Mosul battle, which is supported by the United States and Iran; however, Sunni parties are afraid of this decision.

Iraqi Sunni Muslim fighters from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) take part in a parade during a ceremony marking the Iraqi Police Day at Amiriyat al-Fallujah in Anbar province, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTX21NHG

Iraq mulls post-IS role for PMU

The Iraqi government is moving to place the Popular Mobilization Units under the control of the prime minister, though some insist that the sectarian force must be dissolved after the Islamic State is defeated.

Vehicles of the Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) take part in a military parade in the streets of Baghdad, Iraq July 12, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSHJ8K

Iraqi militias aspire to be like Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units consider themselves as an "alternative" state institution, like the IRGC; Russia-Turkey "reset" stumbles on Syria; United States and Russia need to conclude agreement on Syria.

What's behind meeting between Italian ambassador, prominent leader of Iraq's PMU?

The Italian ambassador to Baghdad official meets with the secretary-general of the League of the Righteous movement, Qais al-Khazali, which reads as clear support for Shiite militias in Iraq.

Iraqi workers stand near a pipeline as it ejects oil at Al Tuba oil field in Basra, southeast of Baghdad February 19, 2015. Iraq plans to increase its southern oil storage capacity to 15 million barrels by the end of 2015, to help cope with export bottlenecks caused by bad weather and to absorb rising production, a senior official said on Thursday. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani (IRAQ - Tag - Tags: BUSINESS ENERGY) - RTR4QAYT

Iraq sinks further into debt

Despite nominal moves to diversify its sources of revenue, the Iraqi government's dependence on falling oil prices and the cost of its war against the Islamic State mean the Iraqi economy is drowning in debt.

People hold up Baath Party flags during a rally to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the foundation of the party at al-Sabaa Bahrat square in Damascus April 7, 2012. The Baath Party has ruled Syria since 1963. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA - Tags: ANNIVERSARY POLITICS ) - RTR30GAR

What does de-Baathification mean for Iraq's Kurds?

Given the Baath regime crimes against the Kurds, the Kurdish street is angered at the several scandals, including that the KRG did not react to the law to ban the Baath Party.

An Iraqi solider stands guard near a F-16 fighter jet during an official ceremony to receive four of these aircrafts from the U.S., at a military base in Balad, Iraq, July 20, 2015. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTX1L2B2

Kurds concerned about Baghdad's increasing military prowess

Kurdish officials have been raising their concerns about a possible Shiite threat after IS is completely annihilated in their areas, as Baghdad, which backs those Shiite forces participating in the battle against IS, has been receiving advanced weapons from the United States.

Iraqi Shi'ite fighters salute to the shrine of Sayeda Zeinab, the granddaughter of Prophet Mohammad, at Sayeda Zainab area in Damascus May 25, 2013. Picture taken May 25, 2013. REUTERS/ Alaa Al-Marjani (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY CONFLICT) ) - RTX104SW

Will Iraq's Shiite militias flow to Syria after post-IS?

Expelling IS from Iraq will lead Iraqi Shiite militants to volunteer to fight in Syria, as the Syrian conflict continues to attract Sunni and Shiite fighters from around the world.

Iraqi Sunni Muslim fighters from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) take part in a parade during a ceremony marking the Iraqi Police Day at Amiriyat al-Fallujah in Anbar province, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTX21NI3

What are Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units doing in Beirut?

A leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) talks to Al-Monitor about talks held in Beirut Aug. 8-11, behind the scenes and away from the media spotlights, between a Western diplomatic delegation and 12 people representing the leadership of the PMU.