Archive | Politics

Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraqi politics news, keeping you up to date with the latest information and developments.

PM calls for New Electoral Commission

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has called on the parliament to form a new electoral commission, as the expiration of the legal term of the current commission is nearing. Abadi made his call during his weekly news conference on Tuesday.  A group of Iraqi MPs had submitted a petition to the speaker of parliament requesting […]

Visa Ban Amended to Allow Iraqi Interpreters enter US

By John Lee. The United States has amended its visa ban to allow emigration by the families of Iraqi interpreters who served the United States government and military forces deployed in their country According to the New York Times the change, recommended by the Pentagon, eased some of the anger generated in Iraq by President […]

GE’s Iraq deals in at Risk over US Tavel Ban

By John Lee. US diplomats, citing a senior Iraqi government official, have said that the US travel ban could jeopardise General Electric (GE)'s business in Iraq. According to a memo obtained by Politico: "[The Baghdad government] was preparing to sign two more deals with U.S. company General Electric that could be negatively affected, and that the […]

Parliament Approves two Cabinet Posts, Rejects two others

The Iraqi parliament has approved the appointment of Irfan al-Hayali to the Ministry of Defence and Qasim al-Araji to the Interior Ministry. Inam al-Obeidi, who had been nominated for the Ministry of Commerce, and Najam Ali, who had been nominated for the Ministry of Industry, were both rejected by the parliament. As such three cabinet […]

KRG calls for Urgent Help to avert Humanitarian Catastrophe

KRG Minister of Interior calls for urgent direct assistance to avert humanitarian catastrophe The KRG is calling for immediate, direct assistance to minimize a humanitarian catastrophe as a result of a lack of proper shelter and medical care for civilians fleeing Mosul. The KRG has not only supported and hosted fleeing IDPs, but also provided […]

New Funding for Economic Reform in Iraq

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a project document today in Baghdad with the Office of the Prime Minister of Iraq to establish a Funding Facility for Economic Reform (FFER). Through the Facility, UNDP will support the Government of Iraq to address key economic challenges and invigorate the reform agenda. Diversifying the economy, increasing […]

Iraq Considers Retaliatory Ban on US Visitors

By John Lee. According to various media reports, Iraqi lawmakers have said that they might ban US nationals from entering the country in retaliation against Donald Trump's executive order to deny Iraqis entry to the United States. The parliament’s foreign affairs committee called on the government to act after Trump controversially ordered that citizens from […]

Will Iraq succeed in bringing Iran, Saudi closer?

By Ali Mamouri for Al Monitor. Any views expressed here are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.  On Jan. 14, Iraqi and Iranian media reported that Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (pictured) offered to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia in order to overcome their disputes and […]

Plan to Decentralize Power still Stuck in Limbo

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Almost a year and a half ago, Iraq was supposed to undertake a historic exchange of power. This would have involved devolving power from the government in Baghdad to the […]

Trump May 'Suspend Some Immigration' from Iraq

By John Lee. ABC News cites sources as saying that US President Donald Trump could suspend some immigration from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, either temporarily or "indefinitely". They also say that the move by Trump, who is expected to visit the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, could also impact refugees […]