Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraqi politics news, keeping you up to date with the latest information and developments.
By John Lee. Iraq has fallen to another new low in the Economist Intelligence Unit's annual Democracy Index. Falling four places to 128th out of 167 countries, Iraq is classified as "authoritarian", and scores lower than countries such as Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Zimbabwe. The score is Iraq's lowest since the Index was […]
By John Lee. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed its concern at proposed amendments to legislation in Iraq which it says, if approved, would impose the death penalty or life imprisonment for engaging in consensual same-sex relations, as well as for certain forms of adultery. It has called on […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has revoked a decision to relocate its consulate general from the Turkish city of Gaziantep to the province of Mersin. It said the decision came as part of "diplomatic organization efforts," but provided no further information. (Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister)
By John Lee. Iraq is to appoint a commercial attaché to the African continent. The role, approved at Wednesday's cabinet meeting, will be based in South Africa. (Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister)
By John Lee. On 6 February 2024, the Kurdistan Regional Government's Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani, welcomed James Goldman, the newly appointed British Consul General to the Kurdistan Region. Prime Minister Barzani extended his congratulations to Consul General Goldman on his new role and emphasised the KRG's commitment to advancing bilateral ties between the two regions. […]
By Adam Lucente for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. What's next for Iraq and the US after drone strike killed militia leader? The Iraqi government strongly condemned the US strike that killed Abu Baqir al-Saadi, as did Iran-backed […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has agreed to invite Russia's Gazprom to develop the Nassiriyah oilfield as a single contract. While described in a statement from the Prime Minister's office as an "integrated development project", to be offered as a "single bid", it is not immediately clear if this is the originally proposed Nassiriya […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has called on the US Treasury Department to reconsider its recent imposition of sanctions on Iraqi banks. During a phone call from the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Minister Hussein explained that these banks have, "an important and major role in financing ration card expenses and […]
By John Lee. Transparency International has said that Iraq has improved its ranking, and maintained its score, in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023. From a total of 180 countries, Iraq came in at number 154, up 3 places on the previous year. This result puts it on equal ranking with Honduras, Azerbaijan […]
By Bilal Wahab for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Two Tough Scenarios for U.S.-Iraq Relations Washington's ever-narrowing Iraq policy has left it with unpalatable choices, but muddling through is a better short-term option than […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Deep Dive: Why a US withdrawal from Iraq is off the table An important letter was delivered to Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein last week. In a Jan. 24 meeting, US Ambassador Alina […]
By John Lee. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have renewed their call for Iraq to respect the agreement between the Iraq and Kuwait on the regulation of maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway. In September, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court declared the agreement to be unconstitutional. A joint statement issued on Wednesday at the conclusion […]
