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
Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr announces support for elections Sadr's announcement comes a month after he called on his supporters to boycott the October elections. By Al-Monitor Staff
Baghdad holds national dialogue in runup to regional conference Leaders of popular protests and other social movements gathered for a national conference sponsored by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad to discuss Iraq's outstanding issues and the early elections scheduled for October. By Omar Sattar
Feud between Iraqi Sunni leaders could undercut bloc ahead of elections Speaker of parliament and leader of the Advancement alliance Mohammed al-Halbusi has accused the leader of al-Azm alliance, Khamis al-Khanjar, of selling Sunni land. By Mustafa Saadoun
Biden announces end to US combat mission in Iraq Following a White House meeting today between US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the two side announced an agreement that the US combat mission in Iraq will end by Dec. 31, 2021. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Intel: US to announce agreement to pull 'combat troops' from Iraq Security will be at top of agenda for US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue today, and when US President Joe Biden hosts Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on July 26. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Sadr withdraws from Iraqi elections Populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has withdrawn from Iraq's October elections, removing his support for the government. By Hassan Al-Saeed
Iraqi Shiite leader Sadr to sit out October election Muqtada al-Sadr also said he would withdraw his support for the current government and its replacement. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraqi activists worry about election security Some parties that grew out of the October protests have withdrawn candidates from the upcoming parliamentary elections over security concerns. By Mustafa Saadoun
Iraqi political parties woo celebrities for election campaign Some of Iraq’s political parties seek to bring mass media celebrities on board for the upcoming legislative elections. By Mustafa Saadoun
Anbar tribes key to security, political backing ahead of Iraq's October vote Following the introduction of a new electoral law and with many of the region’s population still looking more toward their tribes for protection than the central government, Iraq’s Sunni-dominant Anbar province is likely to be highly affected by tribal relations and figures in the October elections. By Shelly Kittleson
No plans for full US withdrawal from Iraq, top general says The United States may be leaving Afghanistan but troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future, the CENTCOM commander told Congress. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iraq’s new political parties seek funds from citizens New parties have an uphill battle to compete in Iraq's political system. By Omar al-Jaffal