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 in the World Press Freedom Index for 2026, ranking 162nd out of 180 countries, down seven places on last year. The result puts Iraq behind countries such as Cuba and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but ahead of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. First place went to Norway, with […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Parliamentary push to bring back conscription ignites debate in Iraq Iraq's parliament has completed its first reading of a bill that would reintroduce mandatory conscription for men. Backed by Parliament Speaker Haibat Al-Halbousi, […]
By John Lee. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a travel ban on its nationals travelling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, citing current regional developments. UAE nationals already in those countries have been urged to return home immediately. Full statement from UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: In light of current regional developments, the Ministry […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Shiite alliance taps wealthy entrepreneur as Iraq's youngest PM-designate Iraqi President Nizar Amedi has tasked 41-year-old businessman Ali Al-Zaidi with forming a government, making him the country's youngest prime minister-designate. The surprise choice […]
By Winthrop M. Rodgers, Chatham House. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Political Deadlock has Left Iraq's Kurdistan Region Dangerously Exposed amid Iran War The stalemate over government formation is affecting the semi-autonomous region's ability to deal with the fallout of the […]
By John Lee. Earlier this week, Ali Al-Zaidi was tasked with forming a new government in Iraq, following a formal ceremony at Baghdad Palace. With a background in business rather than politics, many are hopeful that he will lead Iraq towards greater prosperity. The profiles below give some perspectives on Iraq's probable next Prime Minister: […]
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. Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi [Zaydi] or financial institutions […]
By John Lee. Ali Al-Zaidi [Al-Zaydi] has been tasked with forming a new government in Iraq, following a formal ceremony at Baghdad Palace. President Nizar Amedi made the designation, describing it as reflecting a commitment to the constitution in both letter and spirit. Speaking at the ceremony, he said: "The interests of Iraq stand above […]
By Hayder Aziz. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Cylinder Seal: A Sovereign Digital Currency Engine for Iraq's Non-Oil Economy Abstract Iraq's economy faces a deeply interconnected set of problems: a vast informal workforce invisible to the financial system, a crushing 14:1 […]
By Mustafa Saadoon, for Al Hurra. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Exclusive: U.S. Moves Against Iran-Aligned Factions in Iraq Two government sources working in the Iraqi Council of Ministers confirmed to Alhurra that "the United States has halted dollar shipments to […]
By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its forecasts, considering the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to its latest World Economic Outlook, it forecasts a 6.8-percent contraction in Iraq's GDP this year due to regional conflict, oil export disruptions, and potential infrastructure damage. For 2027, it expects a dramatic recovery […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi parliament has elected Nizar Amidi [Amedi] (pictured) as the new President of Iraq on Saturday. Amidi, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), succeeds President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid (also PUK), who withdrew from seeking a second term on Saturday. He has previously served as Minister of the […]
