Key Takeaways:
Three Million Won’t Be Able To Vote; Diplomats Push KRG To Address Press Freedom Concerns; PM Eyes Cabinet Reshuffle; Activists Brace For More Assassinations – On May 13, Iraqi PM al-Kadhimi said his government will not spare an effort to hold fair and honest elections in October, as… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Assassination Sparks Anti-Iran Protests; Political Parties Boycott October Elections; UNAMI Criticizes Baghdad’s Crises Handling – Between May 9-12, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Karbala, Babylon, Najaf and Baghdad to protest the assassination of Ehab al-Wazni, a prominent activist and leader of protests movement in Karbala.… Read more
Key Takeaways:
De-Baathification Returns As Election Nears; Iraqi President Confirms “Ongoing” Riyadh-Tehran Talks; Militia Commander Calls For Depopulating Volatile Towns – On April 29, reports emerged of a push by the deputy speaker of parliament to re-establish the “De-Baathification” committee, causing uproar about its possible use to eliminate political rivals.… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Deadly Hospital Fire Reignites Calls To Address Corruption; Sunni Alliances Take Shape Ahead Of Elections; US Commander Says No Plans To Withdraw From Iraq – On April 23, CENTCOM Commander Gen. McKenzie said there were currently no plans for military withdrawal from Iraq. On April 23, a person… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Baghdad Mediates Between Regional Foes; Party Leader Arrested In Corruption Investigations; Protestor-Led Movements Mull Political Future – On April 18, sources said PM Kadhimi mediated direct talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Baghdad, where they discussed their involvements in regional conflicts. On April 19, the newly-formed Federal… Read more
Key Takeaways:
KRG President Holds “Transparent” Talks With Leaders In Baghdad; National Security Advisor Dispatched To Iran; Supreme Court Judges Sowrn In – On April 10, Nechirvan Barzani began a three-day visit to Baghdad, and met with PM Kadhimi and other key decision makers to discuss political, economic and security… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Militia Leader Threatens More Attacks On U.S. Targets; Baghdad And Washington Resume Strategic Dialogue; Investigation Identifies Officers Responsible For Killing Protesters – On April 2, Qais al-Khazali threatened continued attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq, singling out presence at two bases in Anbar and Erbil. On April 3,… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Khazali Attacks Sinjar Agreement; IHEC Extends Voter Registration; Parliament Approves 2021 Budget; Kadhimi Visits Saudi Arabia – On March 25, Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali pushed for canceling the Sinjar normalization agreement, calling it a “treasonous” political deal. On March 29, the Foreign Ministers of Jordan and… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Budget Vote Delayed; IHEC Cancels Voting Outside Iraq; New Supreme Court Members Nominated; Strategic Dialogue Resumes In April – On March 20, Parliament announced that it will vote on the 2021 federal budget on March 27. On March 20, Iraqi courts issued arrest warrants for two political commentators… Read more
