Key Takeaways:
Iraq And Iran Sign Border Security Agreement; Sudani Asks Erdogan To Release More Water; Parliament Passes Controversial Election Law Amendments – On March 19, the head of Iran’s supreme national security council, Ali Shamkhani, visited Baghdad to sign a new border security agreement meant to combat the presence… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Cabinet Sends Multi-Year Budget To Lawmakers; Sudani Claims Breakthrough In Disputes With Erbil – On March 13, PM Sudnai’s cabinet approved a draft federal budget bill and referred it to parliament for ratification. The new bill covers three years through 2025. The IQD197.8 trillion spending bill for 2023… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Court Targets Former Finance Minister And Close Kadhimi Aides; Sudani Visits Cairo; Senior U.S., German Officials Visit Iraq – On March 3, an Iraqi court issued warrants to freeze the assets of former Finance Minister Ali Allawi and three senior aides to former PM Kadhimi for allegedly “facilitating”… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Objections Delay Election Law Discussions Again; UNSG Raises Controversy During Rare Iraq Visit – On February 27, Iraq’s parliament voted to postpone discussions of proposed amendments to the local elections law until March 4. The proposals to reduce the number of electoral districts and return to proportional representation… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Iran’s Foreign Minister Meets Iraqi Leaders; Objections Block Further Discussion Of Election Law Changes – On February 22, Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Baghdad and met with PM Sudani, President Rashid, and Speaker Halbousi. Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein said the discussions addressed border security, Iraqi debt associated with… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Proposed Election Law Changes Raise Strong Objections; U.S. Pledges More Support For Iraq During Talks Focused On Economy, Climate, And Energy – On February 13, Iraq’s parliament discussed proposed amendments to the local election law amid reports about efforts by some Coordination Framework factions to combine the local… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Lavrov Visits Baghdad; Parliament Removes Diwaniyah Governor; Sudani Visits UAE, His Foreign Minister Arrives In Washington – On February 5, Russian FM Sergei Lavrov, accompanied by representatives of Russian energy firms, visited Baghdad and met with PM Sudani and other Iraqi leaders. Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein said that… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Iraq, France Sign Partnership Agreements; Arab Foreign Ministers Visit Baghdad; Top Court Sues Deputy Speaker Abdullah – On January 26, PM Sudani met with French President Emmanuel Macron to sign a “strategic partnership” agreement for cooperation on security and defense, the environment, democratic development, and economic cooperation, especially… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Federal Court Says Government Payments To KRG Unlawful; Sudani In Paris To Sign “Strategic Partnership” Agreement – On January 25, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court (FSC) ruled that all money transfers authorized by the Council of Ministers to the KRG since 2021 were against the law. The ruling, related… Read more
Key Takeaways:
PM Affirms Need For U.S. Forces Presence; U.S. Diplomats Encourage Deal On Energy And Revenue Between Baghdad And KRG; Parliament Reshuffles Committee Assignments – On January 15, PM Sudani told the Wall Street Journal that he was in favor of continued U.S. military presence, arguing that the “elimination… Read more
