Baghdad, Erbil continue their struggle for authority

Disagreements between the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government in Baghdad will persist until the two sides reach agreement on interpretation of the constitution.

Iraq

Iraqis divided over new national anthem

Although Saddam Hussein’s regime fell more than a decade ago, Iraqi political disputes have prevented the country from adopting a new national anthem.

Iraq

Iraqi 'Ninth Studio' avoids TV's sectarian divide

Although Iraqi media outlets gained some freedoms post-2003, in the past 10 years much of the country’s media has been highly sectarian, but a few outlets are challenging that stereotype.

Iraq

Iraq’s imagined conflicts

Although Iraqi political forces disagree about many common issues, there are also ideological divides based on exaggerated religious disputes.

Iraq

Russia's Kurdish dilemma

Russia seeks to place its Kurdish policies in the broader context of a changing Middle East.

Iraq

Iraqi army declares its control of Khalidiya

The Iraqi army declared that it has gained control of the Jazira area of Khalidiya, but maintaining that control will be a challenge.

Iraq

Former Iraq VP: Terrorism, political conflict behind Anbar crisis

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, former Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdul-Mahdi speaks about the Anbar crisis, Iranian influence in Iraq and his expectations for the upcoming elections.

Saudi Arabia

Anbar war opens front on Facebook, Twitter

As the battles in Anbar continue and sectarian tensions rise in Iraq, citizens from both sides have set up Facebook pages to gather supporters and present their views.

Iraq

Nonsectarian citizens isolated in Iraq

Amid increased sectarian tensions, those Iraqis who choose not to side with one sectarian group have found themselves targeted by many, including their own communities.

Iraq

Despite being illegal, sidewalk vendors thriving in Iraq

Because of their popularity, street vendors are thriving in Iraq in spite of government attempts to control them.

Iraq

Iraqi women mostly absent from political scene

Despite some gains made in recent decades, Iraqi women remain largely absent from the country’s political scene.

Iraq

Iraq a hotbed of human trafficking

Although the Iraqi government enacted a law criminalizing human trafficking in 2012, it's rarely if ever enforced.

Iraq