Iraq's election results put militias between rock and hard place Political parties affiliated with Iraqi militias faced significant defeat, while their ally Nouri al-Maliki earned a remarkable victory. Hassan Ali Ahmed | Iraq | Oct 15, 2021 Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf, chairman of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, speaks in Baghdad on Oct. 12, 2021, as he holds a press conference on the early parliamentary elections. Two days after Iraq's legislative election, pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim parties and armed groups today denounced early poll results as "manipulation" and a "scam."
The Takeaway: Sunni ‘awakening’ is a big story from Iraq’s elections Also: Press freedom under threat in Tunisia; Sisi backs Saied emergency measures; Palestinian video game banned in Israel; Syrian opposition considers merger in Idlib; Egypt praised for restoring Jewish synagogue; all in less than 1,300 words! Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Iraq | Oct 13, 2021
Sadr and independents biggest winners under Iraq's new election law The new election law was beneficial for large political blocs and independents, but it also harmed a number of large blocs whose presence in the new parliament has become almost marginal. Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Oct 13, 2021
Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election. Week in Review | Iran | Oct 8, 2021
Security forces, IDPs cast votes early in Iraq's parliamentary elections Early voting has opened in Iraq’s parliamentary elections. Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Oct 8, 2021
Iraqi elections begin with strict measurements to prevent fraud In a first of its kind, Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission is excluding candidates from the early elections due to electoral campaign and law violations, raising expectations the elections will be different this time. Omar Sattar | Iraq | Oct 8, 2021
Iraqi Sadrists envision role as broker of next government After once threatening to sit out the elections, the Sadrist movement has embarked on a media and political campaign to increase election turnout. Adnan Abu Zeed | Iraq | Oct 8, 2021
Iraq to close airports, borders for October election Iraqi authorities have prioritized security in the lead-up to the first election since 2018. Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Sep 30, 2021
Iraq's top Shiite cleric calls for voting in upcoming elections Top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called upon Iraqis to participate in the elections in large numbers and vote wisely. Ali Mamouri | Iraq | Sep 30, 2021
Iraq’s Sunni parties compete for votes in crucial election Iraqi Sunnis are weighing whether to vote for candidates on a tribal or party-linked basis, try for independents or maybe not even vote at all. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Sep 29, 2021
Iraqi leaders sign electoral code of conduct The agreement among Iraqi parties comes in light of ongoing efforts by Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government to reunite political blocs ahead of the October elections. Omar Sattar | Iraq | Sep 24, 2021
Iraq focuses on voter security ahead of elections The Iraqi government has already thwarted attempts at fraud and election rigging ahead of Oct. 10. Hassan Ali Ahmed | Iraq | Sep 12, 2021
Iraqi protest groups will sit out October elections Iraqi protest groups, which have emerged since October 2019, are calling for wholesale reform of the Iraqi political system. Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Sep 8, 2021
Iraqi government says it thwarted cyber plot to rig elections Iraqi authorities succeeded in uncovering plans by cyber hackers to rig the elections, which may end up persuading Iraqi voters to cast their ballots in October. Omar Sattar | Iraq | Sep 7, 2021
International observers prepare for Iraq's elections Hundreds of international observers are gearing up for the legislative elections in Iraq on Oct. 10 in an attempt to help Iraqis conduct transparent and fair elections. Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Sep 1, 2021
Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal Elizabeth Hagedorn | Iran | Oct 8, 2021
"The eighteen days of the revolution were the best days of my life," says Egyptian novelist Alaa Al Aswany
Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf, chairman of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, speaks in Baghdad on Oct. 12, 2021, as he holds a press conference on the early parliamentary elections. Two days after Iraq's legislative election, pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim parties and armed groups today denounced early poll results as "manipulation" and a "scam."
