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)

Sep 8, 2014

UPDATE: Abadi forms government, Abdulmahdi becomes Oil Minister

Shahristani's bloc vows to boycott and the Kurds threaten to do the same if their demands go unmet, while Interior and Defense ministries remain unassigned for now.

Sep 8, 2014

Q&A: Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim

In the aftermath of the rise of ISIS, Kirkuk's governor discusses Iraq's territorial disputes, control of the province's oil fields, and the future of BP.

Sep 4, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 2, 2014

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Sep 4, 2014

UPDATE: Baghdad to file new claims against KRG exports

Iraq's central government is escalating its fight against Kurdistan's independent exports with new legal action in Texas and Greece.

Aug 28, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 26, 2014

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Aug 19, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 19, 2014

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Aug 12, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 12, 2014

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Aug 11, 2014

Maliki claims foul play as Abadi’s support grows

After key Maliki allies turn, Haider al-Abadi tasked with forming government, though his ascension to PM is hardly assured.

Aug 11, 2014

Haider al-Abadi nominated as Iraqi PM

Deadline defections from PM Maliki give deputy Parliament speaker the Shia coalition nod.

Aug 5, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 5, 2014

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.