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
PMU factions set conditions for next Iraqi prime minister Some pro-Iran factions of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are demanding that candidates for prime minister meet their standards. Iraq
New electoral law raises controversy in Iraq Some Iraqi political parties are complaining that the new elections law passed by the parliament is unfair and unworkable without a census; protesters — who essentially caused legislators to pass the law — also are dissatisfied. Iraq
Iraq on brink of abyss: What happens next? The steadily increasing crisis in Iraq is getting deeper over time, opening the space for a total political collapse. Iraq
Judges to run Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission The Iraqi parliament voted on a new electoral commission that will consist of independent judges. Iraq
Iraq's Ninevah province turns back on Shiite forces The Ninevah provincial council has voted to replace a governor who was close to Iran-backed forces with a military man who is close to the United States. Iraq
Iraqi political blocs struggle to meet deadline to replace outgoing PM As the constitutional deadline arrives, Iraqi political parties seem unable to select a new prime minister. Iraq
What comes after Iraqi PM's resignation? Following the Iraqi prime minister's resignation, the parliament is to appoint a new prime minister and move forward with demanded reforms. Iraq
Is Iran trying to hijack Iraqi protesters’ demands? Political parties in Baghdad that are close to Iran may be trying to use Iraqis' ongoing protests as an excuse to change the parliamentary system to a presidential one — something the protesters have never asked for. Iraq
Intel: What’s fueling Iraqi anger at the government Iraqi protesters have returned to the street in force over the past five days for the second time since early October. Iraq
Division threatens Islamic Dawa after Maliki’s reelection The Islamic Dawa Party could on the verge of division after the reelection of Nouri al Maliki as its secretary-general; however, many party leaders see the party as continuing to be a strong and unified one. Iraq
Iraqi parliamentary groupings join hands in bid to oust Abdel Mahdi A bloc of Iraqi political parties comes together to form a strong opposition against Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in an apparent bid to remove him from office. Iraq
Is Abadi looking to return to prime minister's post? Former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi has resigned from the Islamic Dawa Party, raising questions about his possible return to the premiership. Iraq
