Muqtada al-Sadr

Iraq heading for civil war; US must not take advantage

Such a war would shake the region and the world economy

Clashes Erupt in Iraq in Response to Sadr’s Resignation

Supporters of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stormed Baghdad’s Green Zone on Monday and clashed with security forces, leaving at least 30 dead and 400 wounded. The conflict...

Iraq Attacks Israel; What Should Happen Next?

On May 26, Iraq approved a poorly thought out authoritarian law; its implications will hurt Iraqis in the diaspora, Iraqis in Iraq, and the Iraqi economy. The law criminalizes non-existent ties with Israel,...

Even when they fail to win, Iran’s Iraqi loyalists refuse to lose

Iran has therefore changed its narrative from demanding the “Shia share” to insisting on “national unity,” which means giving Iran’s tiny minority veto power or live with a shutdown state.

Iraq election drubbing leaves Iran scrambling to save its militias

Amid the theatrics and walkouts, the meeting illustrated the magnitude of the defeat suffered by the parties loyal to the Iranian regime in the fourth election since the toppling of Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi election results confirm Iran’s unpopularity

Iraqi voters this month made it clear they have had enough of Iran’s violent interference in the country’s politics. Under the direction of Tehran’s Quds Force — the external operations arm of its...

The Trump Administration’s High-Stakes Gambit to Curtail Rocket Attacks in Iraq

In an unexpected announcement on October 10, a group of Iran-backed Shiite militia groups declared their intention to suspend forthwith their attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq, while conditioning the ceasefire’s...

New Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate Poses Threat to Iran, Opportunity for U.S.

The March 17 nomination of Adnan al-Zurfi as Iraq’s prime minister-designate highlights the extent to which Iran’s stranglehold on Iraqi politics could be eroding. As such, Zurfi’s nomination holds...

Iraq Needs Regime Change Again

Musical chairs in the Iraqi parliament can no longer solve the country's problems.

Nomination for Iraqi Premiership Largely Brokered by Iranian Axis

Despite the promises of Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Mohammed Allawi, to address the demands of protesters that drove his predecessor from office, his nomination has been met with universal derision...

Iran Stepped in to Save Pro-Tehran Government in Baghdad

Amidst a growing backlash against Iranian influence, Tehran compelled its allies in Baghdad to support Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, whose resignation is one of the protesters’ top demands. Tehran’s...

Iran-Backed Militias Are In Iraq to Stay

Prime Minister Mahdi is trying to bring the Popular Mobilization Forces under control of the government, but even he probably knows it won’t work.

U.S. increases pressure on Iran with sanctions on militias in Iraq and Syria

The Trump administration on Thursday ...

U.S. adds Iranian-backed Shia militia and its leader to list of global terrorists

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Midterm Assessment: Iraq

Iraqi Shiite Cleric Sadr Announces Political Alliance with Pro-Iran Coalition

This week, Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced a political alliance with Hadi al-Amiri, leader of a pro-Iran c...

National Elections in Iraq Set for May

This week, the Iraqi parliament...