Key Takeaways:
Regional, European Leaders Voice Support For Iraq’s Stability; Investigation Points To Serious Abuses In Anti-Corruption Campaign – On December 20, PM Sudani attended a summit of regional and European leaders in Jordan that was organized by Iraq and France as a follow-up to the Baghdad Conference, which Baghdad… Read more
In recent years, many Iraqis have been expressing growing frustration with political dysfunction, corruption, and poor economic conditions, which they largely blame on muhasasa, the ethno-sectarian apportionment of political offices that has characterized politics in Iraq since 2003. This frustration gave rise to popular protest demanding systemic change, most notably… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Baghdad-Erbil Talks Lead To New Budget Payments; Investigation Into Protesters Death Provides Few Answers – On December 13, in a sign of progress in the talks between Baghdad and Erbil, the federal government decided to release IQD400 billion to the KRG to pay the salaries of public servants… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Deadly Protests Erupt After Activist Receives Prison Sentence For “Insulting” Militias – On December 7, three civilians were killed and more than a dozen people were injured, some by live bullets, during clashes between protesters and security forces in Nasiriyah. The latest protests erupted after authorities arrested several… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Sudani Visits Regional Capitals; Senior Intelligence Officials Fired, Charged With Corruption; Ruling Coalition To Dismiss Early Election Plans – Between November 21 – 29, PM Sudani traveled to Amman, Kuwait City, and Tehran, for meetings with regional leaders. His meetings in Amman focused on counterterrorism and other bilateral… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Sudani Shakes Up Iraq’s Integrity Committee; Qaani Advises Against Purging Sadrists From Government – On November 13, PM Mohammed al-Sudani removed judge Alaa Jawad al-Saidi from his position as head of the Integrity Commission and appointed judge Haider Hanoun as acting head of the country’s anti-corruption body. Sudani… Read more
Key Takeaways:
PM Sudani Takes Over Key Intelligence Post Sought By Militias; PUK Speaks Of Putting An End To KDP Power Monopoly – On November 6, PM Sudani announced that he will personally oversee the operations of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service. The announcement came amid unconfirmed reports that two… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Militias Push To Prosecute Former PM; Sudani Appoints Militia-Affiliated Advisors, Cancels A Year’s Worth Of Kadhimi’s Decisions – On October 27, the Sadiqoun bloc in parliament, which represents the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, said it sent a letter to the speaker demanding that he instructs the Integrity Commission… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Iraq’s Parliament Approves Sudani’s New Government – On October 27, the Iraqi parliament voted to approve the government program and cabinet presented by PM Mohammed Shya al-Sudani. During the parliament session, held amid tight security precautions, lawmakers voted to approve 20 ministerial candidates, leaving three portfolios vacant. In… Read more
Key Takeaways:
PM Kadhimi Appoints New Acting Finance Minister; Sudani To Present His Cabinet Next Week – On October 15, PM Kadhimi’s cabinet agreed to terminate the appointment of Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismael as acting finance minister and tasked State Minister Hiyam Nimat with the finance portfolio until the… Read more
