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Iraq

April 27, 2026

Baghdad 11:10 pm

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Ali al-Zaidi

Breaking | Last Updated: April 27, 2026, 3:43 pm

Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know

Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him.

Qais al-Khazali (L), head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group, stands along with former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki after casting their ballots at a polling station in Baghdad on Nov. 11, 2025.

Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know

Two other candidates have emerged as alternatives to Coordination Framework nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is openly opposed by the Trump administration.

Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy.

A man walks through the atrium during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

IMF slashes Mideast outlook by nearly 3 points as Iran war hits economies

The International Monetary Fund cut gross domestic product forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa, with the fallout from the conflict exposing stark divergences between the region’s energy exporters and importers.

Latest News

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia summon Iraqi diplomats over militia attacks: What to know

A photograph shows the damage in the aftermath of a drone strike in the Seef district of Manama on March 10, 2026.

Exclusive

'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release

An undated image of Shelly Kittleson.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

How fast can Gulf energy production rebound after US-Iran ceasefire?

picture of Qatar Energy's operating facilities on March 3, 2026, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US journalist Shelly Kittleson released by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq

An undated image of Shelly Kittleson.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

Iraq finally makes arrests in killing of anti-government protesters

Iraqi security forces arrested four suspects for allegedly killing Iraqi protesters and activists.

Pentagon ‘comfortable’ with troop levels in Middle East ahead of review

Whether the United States pulls forces from the Middle East to counter China may well depend on the success of Biden's diplomacy with Iran

Pope Francis holds the Holy Book of Prayers as he celebrates Mass for the Epiphany on January 6, 2021 at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. (Photo by REMO CASILLI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by REMO CASILLI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope’s schedule in Iraq reveals two missions

In the first-ever papal visit to the country, Pope Francis plans to highlight the plight of Iraq's dwindling Christian population and promote interfaith dialogue.

An aerial view shows the Mandili crossing between Iraq and Iran on July 11, 2020. - Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi launched a new campaign against corruption at the country's borders, saying millions of dollars were being lost by not properly taxing imported goods. (Photo by Thaier Al-SUDANI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by THAIER AL-SUDANI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraqi border crossings better protected as cells attempt desert attacks

The prime minister’s decision to send military reinforcements to Iraq's border ports last year seems to have made officials feel safer and reduced revenue-siphoning corruption.

Islamic State officials behind Baghdad bombing killed, prime minister says

The strike follows the killing of IS' top official for Iraq near Kirkuk last week.

Iraq mourns the first set of remains of Yazidi genocide victims

More than six years after the massacre, before their burial in Sinjar on Feb. 4, Iraqis held a funeral for Yazidis who were murdered en masse by the Islamic State in 2014.

An Iraqi cleric walks on a US flag painted on the ground as people gather to pay respects by the grave of slain commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at the Wadi al-Salam ("Valley of Peace") cemetery in the holy city of Najaf, on January 4, 2021, marking the first anniversary of his killing alongside Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike. (Photo by Ali NAJAFI / AFP) (Photo by ALI NAJAFI/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran says 'best response' for US forces to leave Iraq

Officials in Tehran renewed calls for an end to the American military presence in neighboring Iraq as a response to the US killing of Iran’s top commander Qasem Soleimani.

Gulf states prepared to support Iraqi sovereignty, fight terrorism: GCC Secretary General

Strengthened Iraq-GCC relations could bolster stability in the country and lessen Baghdad's dependence on Iran.

Pope Francis dismisses uncertainty over upcoming Iraq trip

Francis' visit to the country next month will mark the first time a pope has visited Iraq.

A member of the Iraqi federal police forces sits inside an armoured vehicle at a checkpoint in a street in the capital Baghdad on January 29, 2021, during tightened security measures, a day after a man identified as the top Islamic State (IS) group figure in the country was killed. - Iraq's premier announced yesterday that the military had killed the man, a week after an IS attack in Baghdad killed more than 30 people.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi said IS's Iraq "wali", or governor, Abu Yasser al-Issaw

Iraq, coalition partners had been on trail of IS commander a 'long time'

Iraq announced Jan. 28 that its US-trained Counterterrorism Services in coordination with national intelligence had conducted an operation leading to the killing of the commander of Islamic State remnants in the country, in an "insurgent-infested" valley of the oil-rich, disputed southern Kirkuk province.

Iraqi security forces kill senior Islamic State commander

Iraq's military said Abu Yaser al-Issawi was killed in a counterterrorism operation outside Kirkuk.

Pope Francis, Shiite leader al-Sistani to meet in historic Iraq trip

Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani are scheduled to meet in the Iraqi city of Najaf during the first papal visit to the country.