Iraqi elections

Iraqis stand outside parliament building, or Council of Representatives, in the Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2020.

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.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

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.

A military marching band plays outside during the first provincial council elections in a decade, at a polling station in the central city of Najaf, on December 18, 2023. The vote comes at a time of widespread disillusionment among the country's 43 million inhabitants, with endemic corruption eating away at the oil-rich nation. (Photo by Qassem al-KAABI / AFP) (Photo by QASSEM AL-KAABI/AFP via Getty Images)

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 drought

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.

Latest News

Resignations at Iraq's parliament after supreme court ends Halbusi’s term

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi addresses France's President Emmanuel Macron (unseen) during a meeting at the parliament in the capital Baghdad, on August 28, 2021. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Explainer: Why Iraq's Kirkuk has reached brink of conflict

Kirkuk

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Iraqi Kurds protest unpaid salaries from Baghdad

People in Dohuk city lift the regional flag during a rally over unpaid salaries in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq

Agence France-Presse

US welcomes conviction of Iranian, 4 Iraqis for killing American citizen

Iraqis drive past electoral billboards and placards of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Karrada district, Baghdad, Iraq, Sept. 19, 2021.

This picture taken on March 26, 2022, shows a view of the exterior of Iraq's Council of Representatives.

Iraqi parliament approves emergency food security bill

Iraqi lawmakers passed an emergency food security bill weeks after the Federal Supreme Court labeled unconstitutional a similar bill proposed by the caretaker government.

This picture taken on March 26, 2022, shows a view of the exterior of Iraq's Council of Representatives.

Iraq's parliament passes anti-normalization law

Iraq's lawmakers further criminalize relations with Israel.

A picture taken on Feb. 14, 2019, shows Kurdistan's regional parliament in Erbil.

Iraq’s Kurdish parties struggle to unite amid deep divisions

The main parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have met at a high level amidst divisions and difficulties to form the government many months after the elections.

Iraqi-Kurdistan

Iraqi election officials conduct the electronic count of votes at a polling station in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, Oct. 10, 2021.

Upcoming KRG election marred by political divisions

Due to the political dispute in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, the Oct. 1 regional parliamentary election is likely to be delayed.

Iraqi-Kurdistan

Iraq's Council of Representatives in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

Iraqi coalitions look to break political deadlock

The proposals come as Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's 40-day window to form a government draws to a close.

Iraq politics

US urges Iraqi government formation as stalemate drags on

The deadlock has left Iraq without a new budget amid the economic uncertainty stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Iraqi members of the Sadrist bloc (of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr) gather inside the Iraqi parliament in the capital, Baghdad.

Iraq's political deadlock: three scenarios

Iraq's new parliament has failed to form a government and the political scene is stuck in a difficult deadlock, indicating that the crisis is likely to continue for a long time.

Iraqi ex-foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari (L) and President Barham Saleh

Door reopens to candidates after Iraq president vote fails

Agence France-Presse

President of Iraq Barham Salih on June 25, 2019, in London, England.

Battle opens for presidency in Iraq

As the Kurdistan Democratic Party nominates Hoshyar Zebari for the presidency, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan is looking to renew the mandate of President Barham Salih.

An Iraqi child walks past a poster of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Sadr City in Baghdad on Oct. 17, 2021.

Sadr committed to forming Iraq's first majority government

The Coordination Framework, comprised of several Shiite parties is seeking a national unity coalition modeled on previous governments, while Sadr whose bloc won the majority of seats seeks majority government.

A photo taken on June 10, 2021, shows traffic at the entrance to Baghdad International Airport.

Baghdad airport hit with rockets, no one hurt

No group has claimed credit for the latest attack.

This picture taken on Sept. 26, 2021 shows an electoral campaign billboard ahead of Iraq's early legislative elections, depicting current parliament speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi, along the side of a road in the city of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's central Anbar Governorate.

Iraqi parliament speaker’s home targeted amid power plays

At least three rockets landed near a residence of the Iraqi parliament speaker in his native Anbar region on Tuesday as political wrangling, disappearances and threats from Iran-linked militias continue.