Analysis Iraq still without parliament speaker five months after Halbusi’s ouster Previous parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi was removed from office in November, and parliament has yet to agree on a successor amid political controversies, including allegations related to former ruler Saddam Hussein. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Regional View From PKK to corridor project: Ambitious agenda awaits Turkey’s Erdogan in Iraq Security cooperation and transport corridor plans are expected to top the agenda of the Turkish president’s visit to Iraq in April, the first of its kind since 2011. Turkey
Regional View 2023 in review: Iraq's pro-Iran factions make gains, but so do Sunni groups December's provincial elections across Iraq saw big gains for the ruling Coordination Framework and for the Sunni minority and Muhammad al-Halbousi list. Iraq
How are climate change, water scarcity weighing on Iraq’s agriculture? The Norwegian Refugee Council said farmers are being hurt economically by climate change, and suggested better irrigation techniques and water monitoring technology to improve the sector. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
US urges Iraq to step up protection of US, coalition personnel The State Department said Iraq is not doing its part to protect US and coalition forces in the country. By Laura Rozen
Iraq's latest prime minister-designate faces opposition from Iran-backed militias Iraqi President Barham Salih designates a former Najaf governor, Adnan Zurfi, as prime minister amid strong objection from Iran-backed militias. By Ali Mamouri
Iraqi deadline passes with no decision on prime minister Iraqi political parties have failed in selecting a new prime minister, amid the rising tension between the United States and the Iran-backed Shiite militias. By Ali Mamouri
Can protesters produce a political movement for elections? Iraqi activists and leaders of protests are working to form a political movement to participate in parliamentary elections. By Mustafa Saadoun
Power vacuum in Iraq leads to threats from pro-Iran faction Pro-Iran factions in Iraq worry that they could lose their political sway, having failed to keep one prime minister in power, then failing in their attempt to replace him, as they recognize the next candidate could be selected from outside their political circle with the support of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite rivals. By Hassan Al-Saeed
Iraq's political scene fragmented as time runs out for prime minister designate An Al-Monitor interview of members of parliament helps explain why Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi's nomination to become prime minister of Iraq hit the shoals. By Shelly Kittleson
Why is holding early elections a nearly impossible task in Iraq? Despite the promises of the Iraqi designate prime minister to hold early elections, it seems impossible to move forward with it. By Omar Sattar
Has Sadr lost the Iraqi street? Iraqi populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, after playing to the hopes and grievances of everyday Iraqis, may be losing some of his following as he plays for advantage among Iraq's political factions. By Omar Sattar
Iraqi prime minister-designate faces pressure on Cabinet choices Political pressure on the prime minister-designate, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, could bring him down before he even forms a government. By Omar Sattar
PMU factions set conditions for next Iraqi prime minister Some pro-Iran factions of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are demanding that candidates for prime minister meet their standards. By Adnan Abu Zeed
New electoral law raises controversy in Iraq Some Iraqi political parties are complaining that the new elections law passed by the parliament is unfair and unworkable without a census; protesters — who essentially caused legislators to pass the law — also are dissatisfied. By Omar Sattar
Iraq on brink of abyss: What happens next? The steadily increasing crisis in Iraq is getting deeper over time, opening the space for a total political collapse. By Ali Mamouri