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
The Takeaway: Iraq takes first steps toward new government: What comes next Updates from our regional correspondents on Turkey, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt; multimedia on Israel and Iran — all in about 1,000 words. By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
Protests challenge local Iraqi authorities The popular protests erupted in rejection of local administrations since parliamentary blocs in Iraq neglected to hold provincial elections. By Omar Sattar
Iraq's speaker reelected with backing of Muqtada al-Sadr Mohammed al-Halbusi is Iraq's speaker of parliament for a second term despite opposition from Shiite parties aligned with Iran. By Hassan Al-Saeed
The Takeaway: Iraq’s elections: What comes next? Updates from our correspondents in Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Egypt and New York; Multimedia reporting on Kurds, Tel Aviv, Egypt and Sharjah! By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
Basra governor tests the waters for the premiership The governor of Basra is moving between political blocs and high-level leaders in a bid to access the premiership, but the political landscape does not appear conducive for this. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Iraqi court certifies election results Many Iran-backed militias rejected the results of the October election in which they performed poorly. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraqi Sunni parties compete for parliament speaker Two large Sunni coalitions, the Taqaddom alliance led by Muhammad al-Halbusi and the Azm alliance led by Khamis al-Khanjar, are competing for the position of parliament speaker. By Akeel Abbas
Kakai minority scores two seats in Iraqi parliament After years of absence, two female candidates from the Kakai minority managed to reach the Iraqi parliament following the fifth Iraqi legislative elections held on Oct. 10 for the provinces of Ninevah and Kirkuk. By Saman Dawod
Muqtada Sadr uses personal diplomacy in search of Iraqi deal Populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is seeking to close the deal among Iraq's Shiite parties. By Mustafa Saadoun
Investigation finds militias involved in Iraqi post-election violence A special committee implicates militias in causing violent clashes on Nov. 5 By Hassan Al-Saeed
Shiite leaders gather in Baghdad to break political deadlock In order to break the political deadlock resulting from Iraq's recent elections, Shiite leaders gathered to find a solution to forming the next government. By Ali Mamouri
Iraqi election results sent to Federal Supreme Court for approval The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission announced the final results of the Oct. 10 elections and will now send its results to the Federal Supreme Court for approval. By Hassan Al-Saeed