What are Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units doing in Beirut?

A leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) talks to Al-Monitor about talks held in Beirut Aug. 8-11, behind the scenes and away from the media spotlights, between a Western diplomatic delegation and 12 people representing the leadership of the PMU.

Iraq

Sunnis eye their piece of Iraq pie

Representatives of various Sunni groups are trying to lay the groundwork for an independent Sunni region, but efforts may be complicated by the presence of powerful Shiite forces on the ground.

Iraq

Charity sets up free shops on Baghdad walls

A group of Iraqi activists has created a project to help the poor in Iraq, and the idea, though unconventional for the region, is catching on.

Iraq

Iran official: Moscow and Tehran are in 'strategic cooperation'

The secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council said that Russia’s use of Iran’s air base is a sign of further cooperation rather than an exceptional situation.

Iraq

Division among Iraq's Shabak minority reveals Kurdish-Arab land rivalry

Minorities in Iraq's Ninevah plains are stuck between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government based in Erbil, which are competing for their lands.

Iraq

Iraq's environment faces crucial challenge

Environmental deterioration in Iraq has reached a critical point due to a lack of awareness among citizens, the destructive impact of consecutive wars and the absence of effective rehabilitation plans.

Iraq

Will Iraq's minorities return to their homelands post-IS?

As Iraqi forces are advancing against the Islamic State, Iraqi minorities express their worries about the future of their lands post-IS.

Iraq

How Islamic State is trying to lure Kurds to its ranks

The Islamic State released a video Aug. 3 in which militants refer to prominent Kurdish leaders in a bid to attract the Kurds to their ranks.

Iraq

Amid war on IS, Iraq’s widows and orphans face neglect

A recent survey shows that the number of widows and orphans is on the rise in Iraq, while the government fails to provide support for them.

Iraq

Iraq's political leaders on quicksand as alliances fracture

While Iraq's defense minister and parliament speaker trade accusations of corruption, the major political blocs that support them are threatening to split and reorganize themselves along nonsectarian lines.

Iraq

Iraqi parliament in the dark about $2.7 billion loan deal

Iraq's parliament was not involved in the negotiations for a $2.7 billion US loan package and still hasn't been fully briefed on the deal, leaving many Iraqi lawmakers uneasy.

Iraq

13 years later, Iraq passes de-Baathification law

The Iraqi parliament passed a de-Baathification law to ban any political activity by the Baath Party, but its consequences are still unknown as warnings continue about potential destabilizing effects.

Iraq