Key Takeaways:
New Sanctions Target Iran’s Affiliates In Iraq; Abdul-Mahdi Cautions Against Escalation Between U.S. And Militias; Fatah Moves Against President Salih; Zurfi Faces Stiff Opposition And Iran Pushes For Alternatives – On March 26, the U.S. added twenty Iranian and Iraqi businesses and individuals to the list of entities… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Shia Blocs Fail To Agree On Supporting PM-Designate Adnan al-Zurfi; Al-Khazali Calls For Giving The Care-Taker Government Emergency Powers; Fatah Coalition Tells Zurfi To Step Down – On March 20, Reuters reported that the U.S. government was “enormously disappointed” with Baghdad’s ineffective efforts to protect American personnel from… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Escalation Between U.S. And Militias Strains U.S.-Iraq Relations; President Salih Names New PM-Designate Amid Strong Objections From Fatah Coalition; New PM-Designate Promises Elections Within A Year – On March 16, Baghdad sent letters to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary General condemning the “misguided American aggression” after… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Iran’s Security Chief Lobbies To Keep Abdul-Mahdi In Office; Three Killed, Dozens Injured In New Violence Against Protesters; Iraq Braces For Financial Crisis As Oil Drops; Seven-Member Committee To Select New PM – On March 7, the head of Iran’s National Security Council arrived in Baghdad for meetings… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Militia Threatens Security Forces, Politicians; Allawi Ends Bid To Form New Government; President Salih Seeks New Candidates; Abdul-Mahdi Delegates Authority to Deputies; More Than 200 Protester Injured By Government Forces – On February 29, a Twitter account believed to belong to Kata’ib Hezbollah threatened Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service, politicians,… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Sunni, Kurdish Parties Object To Allawi’s Handling Of Government Formation; Allawi Presents Program; Sadr Attacks Political Rivals, Threatens To Mobilize Militia; PMF Selects New Chief; Parliament Fails To Vote On Allawi’s Government – On February 21, a senior member of the Sunni coalition led by Speaker Halbousi said… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Constitutional Amendments Committee Stumbles; KDP, PUK And Halbousi Demand Share In New Government; Allawi Promises An “Independent” Cabinet Next Week; U.S., UN Condemn Continuing Violence Against Protesters – On February 16, political sources said the 18-member committee charged with formulating constitutional amendments has made very little progress toward… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Sistani Condemns Violence Against Protesters; Amiri Mediates Between Sadr And Maliki; Allawi Under Pressure Amid Competing Demands By Political Rivals; Iraq And NATO Agree On Training Mission – On February 7, Ayatollah Ali Sistani condemned ongoing violence against protesters, specifically the February 5 Najaf attacks during which Sadr’s… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Mohammed Allawi To Be Iraq’s Next PM; Saeroun And Fatah Endorse Allawi, Protesters Reject Him; At Least Eight Killed, Scores Injured After Sadr’s Followers Attack Protesters – On February 1, President Barham Salih tasked former communications minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi with forming Iraq’s next government, ending two months… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Sadr And Militias Organize Anti-U.S. March; Hundreds Of Civilians Killed And Injured In New Crackdown; President Salih Gives Parties Three Days To Select A New PM – On January 24, supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr and several militia groups turned out for a mass protest against American presence in… Read more
