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Sadr will dominate Iraqi post-election politics

Location:

IRAQ

Unpredictable populist Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr again emerged as the de facto leader of the largest single party. Kurdish and Sunni factions also saw significant shifts.

Failed reforms threaten to weaken Iraq's Abadi

Location:

IRAQ

His call comes as Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is seeking to revive plans for wide-scale reform of government, with a new initiative to replace cabinet ministers with…

Protest groups signal shift in Middle East politics

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

Civil society protest movements in Iraq and Lebanon.

Iraq’s new electoral law will disappoint protesters

Location:

IRAQ

Earlier rounds of the protests, which began in October 2019, forced the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi and the passage of a new electoral law on December 24…

Iraq's Abadi may consolidate power in reform battle

Location:

IRAQ

Government reforms.

Iraqi provincial polls will boost incumbent control

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IRAQ

The vote will reinstate provincial councils that were dissolved in 2019, which will in turn choose new provincial governors. The government is determined to hold an effective…

Politically divided Iraq faces a massive economic hit

Location:

IRAQ

The economic and social impact of COVID-19 -- and especially the crushing effect on global oil markets -- comes amid worsening US-Iran tensions. Internally, political deadlock and…

Baghdad and Erbil policy moves may deter oil investors

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IRAQ

Although some important hydrocarbons projects have seen progress, both Baghdad and Erbil have made fresh moves seen as prejudicial by oil sector investors. Uncertainty continues…

Iraq’s new premier will take drastic economic steps

Location:

IRAQ

This follows a long vacuum after popular protests forced the resignation of Adel Abdel-Mahdi in November, and two earlier nominees failed to be confirmed. Kadhimi’s appointment…

Iraqi Kurdish election divisions will erode autonomy

Location:

IRAQ

Tensions have risen over the past year between the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), due to disagreements over the electoral law…