Sistani calls for nominating new faces for next prime minister

As Haider al-Abadi's chances to serve a second term decline due to the bloody protests in Basra, Iraqi politicians are looking for a new face to head the new government.

Iraq

Iraqi planes land in Damascus following 7-year hiatus

Iraq begins direct flights from Baghdad to Damascus after improvements in Syria's security, much to the delight of religious tourists.

Iraq

Iraq's religious tourism suffers from US sanctions on Iran

The number of Iranian pilgrims traveling to Iraq for religious holidays is expected to witness a sharp decline due to the impact of US economic penalties on Iran.

Iraq

Factions call for changing Iraq to presidential government

A group of pro-Iranian leaders in Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units want to switch the Iraqi governing system from parliamentary to presidential.

Iraq

US friends in the Middle East lose a champion in John McCain

The late senator from Arizona leaves behind a legacy as one of the Senate’s last prominent proponents of US interventionism.

Iraq

Political differences ignite conflict between PMU factions

As the escalation rises between Shiite parties over the formation of the new government, the pro-Iranian factions in Popular Mobilization Units show strong objection against Abadi second term.

Iraq

Mortars hit Iraq's Green Zone as violent protests continue

As Iraq's political parties have failed to form a new government, unrest continues in Basra, where hundreds of people are being hospitalized each day due to a lack of basic services, especially clean water.

Iraq

Can Iran threaten US interests from Iraqi territories?

Iran has established a strong military foundation among its allies in Iraq, which allows it to threaten the United States and its allies everywhere in Iraq and neighboring countries.

Saudi Arabia

Turkey pins hopes on cleric Sadr to form Iraqi government

As Turkey waits to see which Iraqi political coalition comes up with the parliamentary majority necessary to install a new government, Ankara is rooting for the bloc of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, which it sees as most likely to minimize US and Iranian influence in the country.

Iraq

Anbar governor wants police boosted and military back on bases

Local authorities in Iraq's western province of Anbar have demanded that international forces step in to guard the province's border with Syria, given the various competing forces on both sides.

Iraq

Shiite split heats up as Iraqi lawmakers fail to elect speaker

Two Iraqi Shiite coalitions — one favored by the United States and the other by Iran — are competing hard to gain a majority in the parliament to form the next government.

Iraq

Foreign IS fighters face justice in Baghdad criminal court

The Iraqi Central Criminal Court in Baghdad began trying foreign fighters who joined the Islamic State and were captured in the war to liberate Iraqi territory from IS.

Iraq