Politics

Government formation stalemate deepens

Nouri al-Maliki's path to the premiership becomes increasingly unlikely as political power brokers struggle to contend with U.S. opposition and regional uncertainty.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (left) and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (right) meet on Feb. 11, 2026 in Baghdad. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

May 24, 2018

Cabinet orders election review amidst fraud charges

After reviewing a report on the integrity of Iraq's election system, the Cabinet has launched an investigation.

May 22, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 22, 2018

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

May 16, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 15, 2018

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

May 13, 2018

Election day sees peaceful voting – and cynicism

Despite insurgents' threats to disrupt voting, Iraqis went to the polls in peace. But record numbers stayed home, and some parties are alleging fraud.

May 10, 2018

Analysis: What to expect from Iraq’s elections

Interviews with candidates across the political spectrum provide insight into the forces shaping Iraq's electoral landscape and influencing upcoming negotiations to form the next government.

May 10, 2018

Q&A: Kamaran Barwari, New Generation party leader in Dohuk

One of Kurdistan's new political parties is challenging the ruling KDP in its traditional stronghold of Dohuk.

May 10, 2018

Q&A: Rafat Abdullah, PUK politburo member from Kirkuk

A leading member of the PUK in Kirkuk discusses his expectations for Kurdish electoral turnout in disputed territories and post-election dynamics in Baghdad.

May 10, 2018

Q&A: Karim al-Nouri, candidate with the Fatah list

A senior figure in the Badr Organization running on Hadi al-Amiri's Fatah list discusses his expectations for national elections.

May 9, 2018

Q&A: Zuhair Muhssein al-Araji, mayor of Mosul and parliamentary candidate

The war against IS has created immense, unmet reconstruction challenges - and reshuffled the electoral landscape in Iraq's second-largest city.

May 9, 2018

Q&A: Mohammed Rubaie, candidate on Hikma list

A member of Ammar al-Hakim's newly formed party says they are focusing on the youth vote while attempting to end the Dawa party's hold on the premiership.