In letter, US lays out 7 demands for next Iraqi PM, with emphasis on Iran The Trump administration is pressing Baghdad on Iranian influence and the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, with Iraq's top diplomat claiming the US stipulations include a "hint" toward potential sanctions. Iraq
Analysis Can Maliki overcome Trump opposition to reclaim Iraq’s PM post? US President Donald Trump’s opposition to the former prime minister and reports of potential retribution toward Iraq are receiving pushback in the country, which is already suffering from political paralysis. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Iraq’s Maliki rejects Trump criticism, vows to stay in PM race Maliki refused to withdraw from the race, despite mounting pressure from the US, and expressed a desire for good relations with Iraq’s neighbors and Washington. Iraq
Iraq's Shiite bloc holds talks with Kurds as deadlock on president, PM persists The Shiite-led Coordination Framework reiterated its support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Saturday, despite vocal criticism by US President Donald Trump of the former premier. Iraq
Analysis After Trump’s rebuke, can Maliki rebound in Iraq, or does Sudani become favorite? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Anbar tribes key to security, political backing ahead of Iraq's October vote Following the introduction of a new electoral law and with many of the region’s population still looking more toward their tribes for protection than the central government, Iraq’s Sunni-dominant Anbar province is likely to be highly affected by tribal relations and figures in the October elections. Iraq
No plans for full US withdrawal from Iraq, top general says The United States may be leaving Afghanistan but troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future, the CENTCOM commander told Congress. Iraq
Iraq’s new political parties seek funds from citizens New parties have an uphill battle to compete in Iraq's political system. Iraq
Iraq passes $89 billion federal budget bill The budget confronted issues of unemployment, currency devaluation and non-oil revenues and was passed as lawmakers prepare for October's general election; the challenge is implementation. Iraq
Iraq’s general elections pushed to October The added time shores up Baghdad’s preparations for a more legitimate election process; but time is running out for protesters who fear the government will ignore their demands. Iraq
Iraqi parties scramble ahead of new October election date The High Electoral Commission’s need for additional time to update constituents' records requires that the government postpone early elections until October, while political parties publicly oppose the new date and secretly support it. Iraq
Iraqi government presses ahead with early elections next year The Iraqi government is striving to make the legal and political preparations for elections in June 2021, amid multiple political and security challenges. Iraq
France signs financing agreement with UN to support Iraqi elections The UN-France deal supports Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission ahead of early elections slated for next summer. Iraq
Iraqi parliament votes on final version of electoral law Iraq's Council of Representatives voted on the electoral law, which, if passed, will put forward the program for early elections scheduled for next June. Iraq
Iraqi youths form political parties to join early elections Groups of young people set up political parties as they seek to take part in early elections next year, in an attempt to present themselves as an alternative to the existing parties. Iraq
Iraqi prime minister presses ahead with promise of early elections Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has committed to early elections, but Iraq's political blocs may resist. Iraq
Iraq’s prime minister says early elections to be held in June 2021 Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said parliamentary elections will be held June 6, 2021. Iraq
