Will Iraq's Sunnis get own political-religious authority?

Some Sunni groups are seeking to establish a unified religious leadership, setting Sunnis up to play a stronger role in the upcoming elections.

Saudi Arabia

Conference for Iraq draws investors instead of donors

The reported success — and failure — of a fundraising effort for Iraq could become a political football in the May general elections.

Saudi Arabia

Pentagon stops budgeting for peshmerga salaries

The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2019 budget doesn’t specifically dedicate payments for Iraq’s Kurdish fighting force after it stepped back from the front lines of the fight against the Islamic State.

Iraq

Najaf’s wax statues kindle meltdown for conservative Iraqi clerics

The exhibition of wax sculptures in a museum in Najaf, a conservative Shiite city, marks a major reformist development and a cultural breakthrough.

Iraq

Iraq's Sistani becomes top target as elections approach

Both militant and media efforts to undermine top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani are increasing, likely part of a campaign to reduce his influence and hold him and others accountable for corruption in the Iraqi government.

Iraq

Will Great Mosque of Samarra and its minaret survive?

The 1,200-year-old minaret of the Great Mosque in Samarra is in dire need of restoration, which the Iraqi authorities and UNESCO have started working on.

Iraq

Pentagon seeks massive boost in bomb budget for Iraq, Syria

The Defense Department wants $1.8 billion for precision-guided munitions to finish wiping out the Islamic State.

Iraq

Tribal disputes flare in southern Iraq over water scarcity

The water crisis in Iraq's southern regions has led to several conflicts between tribes as they fight over the depleted resource, and the Iraqi government appears unable to stop it.

Iraq

KRG delegation arrives in Afrin as Turkey offensive softens Kurdish split

A delegation of Iraqi Kurds from rival political parties arrived in the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin in a show of Kurdish solidarity.

Iraq

Iraq's gazelles under threat from illegal traffickers

Iraq tries to increase the number of its endangered Goitered Gazelles by placing them in reserves, but lack of funding remains a challenge.

Iraq

Pentagon budget retains same troop levels in Iraq, Syria

The Donald Trump administration’s new budget for the Pentagon leaves in place nearly 6,000 US troops in Iraq and Syria.

Iraq

Is the sun setting on KDP-PUK dominance in Iraqi Kurdistan?

Poverty, widespread disillusionment and the emergence of new political players could spell the beginning of a new political era in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Iraq