By John Lee. Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced on Wednesday the complete separation of his Saraya al-Salam [Peace Brigades] militia from his National Shiite Movement and its full integration into Iraq's state armed forces, saying the move was motivated by "public interest" and the need to avoid dangers facing the country. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi […]
By Ronen Zeidel, for the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel-Aviv University. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The 2025 Iraqi Parliamentary Election: Results, Dynamics and Implications This report examines the 2025 Iraqi parliamentary election, revealing a […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. How Iraq's impoverished oil hub became center of intra-Shiite division As profound social unrest over failing infrastructure and services in the southern Iraqi governorate of Basra continues, rising local anger has in recent […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi electoral process in question as second Shiite bloc withdraws from polls Amid mounting fears over the future of democracy in Iraq, the Nasr (Victory) bloc led by former premier Haidar Al-Abadi (2014-18) […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Novel Shiite armed groups in Iraq draw ridicule, calls for crackdown A wave of new Shiite armed groups has emerged in Iraq in recent months, seemingly operating outside the formal structure of the […]
By Mohammed A. Salih, for the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI). Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Recentralization Imperils Iraq's Stability and Fuels Regional Tensions Iraq is at a pivotal juncture, diverging from its post-2003 vision of a federated state as […]
By Mehiyar Kathem for the Atlantic Council. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The rise of a Shia Vatican in Iraq The way the past is used and managed can provide a unique insight into a country's political trajectory. Since 2003, […]
Iran, Iraq Reach Agreement to Issue Low-Cost Visas for Arbaeen Pilgrimage The Iraqi government has reached an agreement with Iranian officials to facilitate the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, according to Seyyed Majid Mirahmadi, the head of Iran's Central Headquarters of Arbaeen. The agreement includes the issuance of low-cost special visas for Iranian pilgrims to alleviate the […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Inside story: Kadhimi, Arab-Iranian dialogue and the 'witch-hunt' in Iraq Former Iraqi prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's recent trip to Iran came as a surprise to many Iraqis and Iranians. The trip triggered a […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Inside story: Will visit to Iran reconcile Iraq's divided 'Shiite House'? When the Sadrist Movement in early January called for a mass "unified Friday prayer," there was some consternation among observers. As the […]
By Firas Elias 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. Iran's Dilemma in Managing Shiite Conflicts in Iraq Iran has recently adopted a more hands-off approach in Iraqi politics, hoping that the internal fractures will […]
By Hannan Hussain, for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Economic Costs of Iraq's Intra-Shia Power Struggle The economic consequences of political deadlock serve neither the interests of rival political blocs nor the Iraqi public. […]
