Iraq

There are a host of serious internal political conflicts as well as legal, financial, and geopolitical hurdles to increasing Kurdish gas exports, prompting questions regarding whether such aspirations are realistic.

Neutral journalism in Iraq is stifled by political parties that own media outlets and by armed elements using violence to silence scrutiny and criticism.

Poor organization and outsized financial support for pilgrimage blows back, inviting stinging criticisms of Raisi regime’s administrative competence and priorities.

On Thursday September 8, AGSIW hosted a discussion on the current political crisis in Iraq.

Rivals’ use of force to counter Muqtada al-Sadr’s escalation in the Green Zone forces him to end demonstrations in Parliament, but Iraq’s political impasse continues.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces will obstruct any reforms in Iraq that jeopardize the status quo and the militias’ political influence and hold over the state’s coffers.

Iraq’s Parliament, where a sit-in of Sadr supporters continues, has become the epicenter of the intra-Shia power struggle, perpetuating the country’s political crisis.

Iran’s supporters appear to be using a carrot-and-stick approach to co-opt Sunni politicians, aiming to fragment the Sunni camp in any future elections and to make it easier to pressure its leaders.