Iraq's election results put militias between rock and hard place Political parties affiliated with Iraqi militias faced significant defeat, while their ally Nouri al-Maliki earned a remarkable victory. Hassan Ali Ahmed | Iraq | Oct 15, 2021 Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf, chairman of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, speaks in Baghdad on Oct. 12, 2021, as he holds a press conference on the early parliamentary elections. Two days after Iraq's legislative election, pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim parties and armed groups today denounced early poll results as "manipulation" and a "scam."
The Takeaway: Sunni ‘awakening’ is a big story from Iraq’s elections Also: Press freedom under threat in Tunisia; Sisi backs Saied emergency measures; Palestinian video game banned in Israel; Syrian opposition considers merger in Idlib; Egypt praised for restoring Jewish synagogue; all in less than 1,300 words! Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Iraq | Oct 13, 2021
Sadr and independents biggest winners under Iraq's new election law The new election law was beneficial for large political blocs and independents, but it also harmed a number of large blocs whose presence in the new parliament has become almost marginal. Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Oct 13, 2021
Iraq captures ‘Most Wanted’ Islamic State finance chief Iraqi intelligence have captured a top-level IS leader in a special operation that involved coordination with foreign countries. The US had offered $5 million for information that “brings him to justice”. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Oct 12, 2021
Muqtada al-Sadr set to claim victory in Iraqi elections Iraqis made their way to the ballot boxes to cast their votes for the council of representatives, as results show significant surprises. Ali Mamouri | Iraq | Oct 11, 2021
Iraqi Sunnis look to KRG for safety as militias concerns fester As attacks believed to be by Iran-linked armed groups continue amid questions over how long US forces will retain a presence in Iraq, Sunni Arabs are again seeking safety in the Kurdistan Region of the country. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Sep 18, 2021
Iraq's Kadhimi had full agenda for meetings in Iran In his second trip to Tehran, Mustafa al-Kadhimi discussed the two nations' economic relationship, energy sales and reducing regional tension. Hassan Ali Ahmed | Iraq | Sep 17, 2021
LISTEN: Assyrian Church of the East elects new patriarch The new leader of the historic church must now navigate the unique political and spiritual challenges facing his shrinking community in Iraq and its worldwide diaspora. Joe Snell | Iraq | Sep 16, 2021
Iraq focuses on voter security ahead of elections The Iraqi government has already thwarted attempts at fraud and election rigging ahead of Oct. 10. Hassan Ali Ahmed | Iraq | Sep 12, 2021
Iraqi PM vows to fix Kirkuk security issues after gruesome Islamic State attack Following an Islamic State attack in which over a dozen Iraqi policemen were killed, the prime minister criticized military leaders’ “shortcomings” and pledged to address the issue. Meanwhile, counterterrorism operations continue in the same disputed province to prevent further attacks. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Sep 9, 2021
Iraqi protest groups will sit out October elections Iraqi protest groups, which have emerged since October 2019, are calling for wholesale reform of the Iraqi political system. Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Sep 8, 2021
Iraqi government says it thwarted cyber plot to rig elections Iraqi authorities succeeded in uncovering plans by cyber hackers to rig the elections, which may end up persuading Iraqi voters to cast their ballots in October. Omar Sattar | Iraq | Sep 7, 2021
Turkish opposition courts Kurds in trip to Erbil The Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s main opposition party, has sent a senior delegation to Iraq's Kurdistan Region, perhaps because popular elections have become difficult to win without Kurdish votes. Amberin Zaman | Turkey | Sep 7, 2021
Norway police seize nearly 100 artifacts reportedly missing from Iraq The cuneiform tablets and other artifacts were reportedly recovered from a private collection in Norway. Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Sep 3, 2021
Threatened Yazidi interpreters in Iraq say Afghan evacuation a wake-up call Former Iraqi interpreters already hunted because of their faith say the rush to rescue wartime allies from Taliban-run Afghanistan should serve as a cautionary tale. Elizabeth Hagedorn | Iraq | Sep 1, 2021
Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal Elizabeth Hagedorn | Iran | Oct 8, 2021
"The eighteen days of the revolution were the best days of my life," says Egyptian novelist Alaa Al Aswany
Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf, chairman of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, speaks in Baghdad on Oct. 12, 2021, as he holds a press conference on the early parliamentary elections. Two days after Iraq's legislative election, pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim parties and armed groups today denounced early poll results as "manipulation" and a "scam."
