Baghdad-Erbil bickering overshadows Mosul battle

Since the Iraqi central government excluded the Kurdistan Regional Government from a meeting for the anti-IS coalition in Washington, tension has been escalating between Baghdad and the Kurds, who stressed that they will not leave areas in Ninevah liberated from IS.

Iraq

How will Iraq handle its surging population?

Despite Iraq's growing population, the government does not seem to have plans in place to contain the rise, develop employment and expand cities.

Iraq

Iraqi envoy quit over failure to prevent IS 'tragedies'

Ambassador Lukman Faily bemoans missed opportunities to head off the Islamic State early on and elaborates on his post-diplomatic plans in an exit interview with Al-Monitor.

Iraq

Will Iraq's constitution be amended?

Iraqi parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri has formed a new committee for amending the Iraqi Constitution, but is it too little, too late?

Iraq

Iraqi civil society fights new freedom of expression bill

Civil pressure in Iraq has managed to thus far prevent the passing of the “freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration” draft law, which they argue would place tough new restrictions on civil freedoms.

Iraq

Maliki’s visit to Sulaimaniyah deepens split among Iraq's Kurds

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Sulaimaniyah to welcome the coalition between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Movement for Change, deepening the dispute between Sulaimaniyah and Erbil.

Iraq

Iraq's ancient city of Babylon eyes World Heritage list

After the al-Ahwar marshes were added this year, Iraqis are looking to add the ancient city of Babylon to the World Heritage list in 2017, in a process that requires much effort given the current challenges the historical site faces.

Iraq

Will Sadrists target US troops in Iraq?

As the United States announced it would send an extra 560 troops to Iraq to participate in the battle to liberate Mosul from Islamic State control, Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militias threatened to target them.

Iraq

Stalled death sentences spur debate in Iraq

Following the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi authorities are under pressure to expedite the execution of terrorism convicts.

Iraq

Planning for the 'day after' Mosul

As preparations advance to retake Mosul from IS, defense and foreign ministers from some 30 nations met in Washington to plan how to provide humanitarian relief and services for hundreds of thousands of people expected to be displaced.

Iraq

Will Post-IS Iraq witness 'clear conflicts' between armed forces?

The Iraqi army is no longer the strongest force in Iraq, making way for the possibility of conflict between various armed groups.

Iraq

Without reforms, protests threaten to escalate in Iraq

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr led massive protests in Baghdad last week, and demonstrations are likely to continue until progress is made on the government reforms he demands.

Iraq