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Iraqi Voices Episode 58 | Is Iraq's Political Order Transitioning Away from Consensus Politics?
We look at the recent parliamentary session that approved 11 new ministers and three deputy prime ministers, including why the Ministry of Migration and Displacement remains vacant due to a dispute between Christian political parties, complicated by KDP interests.
We then discuss the broader political trajectory. The inclusion of Laith Al-Khazali and other resistance-aligned figures confirms that the US has lifted its objections to their participation in government. But the most significant development may be the head of the judiciary's call for constitutional reform in a statement issued on the same night as the parliamentary vote. Is Iraq moving away from consensus politics towards a majoritarian approach, and what are the risks of opening Pandora's box by pursuing constitutional amendments?
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Iraqi Voices Episode 58 | Is Iraq's Political Order Transitioning Away from Consensus Politics?
We look at the recent parliamentary session that approved 11 new ministers and three deputy prime ministers, including why the Ministry of Migration and Displacement remains vacant due to a dispute between Christian political parties, complicated by KDP interests.
We then discuss the broader political trajectory. The inclusion of Laith Al-Khazali and other resistance-aligned figures confirms that the US has lifted its objections to their participation in government. But the most significant development may be the head of the judiciary's call for constitutional reform in a statement issued on the same night as the parliamentary vote. Is Iraq moving away from consensus politics towards a majoritarian approach, and what are the risks of opening Pandora's box by pursuing constitutional amendments?
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcas…
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5LN…
Iraqi Voices Episode 57 | The Politics of Dinar Devaluation and Iraq’s Debt Burden
This week’s episode examines the Zaidi government’s controversial decision to devalue the Iraqi dinar, exploring the fiscal pressures behind the move, who bears responsibility for the crisis, and why the public was caught off guard. We discuss Iraq’s mounting debt burden, new details emerging from the 2027 federal budget draft, and whether the government could have better prepared the public for the economic fallout. We also turn to the latest developments in efforts to fill the remaining cabinet vacancies, with parliament potentially set to vote on the appointments this week.
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Catch the full episode on Iraq's 2027 federal budget draft here:
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Iraqi Voices Episode 56 | Breaking Iraq’s Cycle of Budget Delays
In a rare departure from Iraq’s chronic budget delays, the draft 2027 Federal Budget Law has been prepared ahead of the statutory timetable and referred to cabinet for approval.
In this episode, we examine how the government managed to prepare the budget ahead of schedule and whether this could mark a break from the recurring cycle of delays that has plagued previous budgets. We also discuss what we can expect from the draft, including the likely level of expenditure, oil revenue assumptions, and how the government plans to finance the deficit. Finally, we look ahead to parliament and the likely sequencing of the legislative agenda that could eventually lead to the budget’s approval.
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Iraqi Voices Episode 55 | The Political Ramifications of Iraq's Fuel Crisis
In this episode, we discuss how the summer-long fuel shortages could impact Iraq’s political scene following this week’s disastrous performance by the Minister of Oil in parliament where he failed to provide a convincing explanation for why oil-rich Iraq experienced a fuel crisis. We examine how mismanagement and poor strategic planning contributed to the crisis and why MPs may now be emboldened to pursue a no-confidence motion against the minister. We also consider how such a move could further complicate ongoing negotiations to fill the remaining vacant cabinet seats.
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Iraqi Voices Episode 54 | Examining the Coordination Framework's Evolving Role
In this episode, we discuss the Coordination Framework’s shifting role from a government formation platform to a more permanent body that aspires to manage the strategic affairs of the state. We look at Sheikh Humam Hamoudi’s proposal to restructure the Framework into specialised committees and consider whether its leaders can move beyond narrow party interests. With nine ministries still vacant nearly a year after the elections, we examine the ongoing disputes over cabinet positions, the push to appoint four deputy prime ministers, and the looming battles over the federal budget and the PMF law.
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Iraqi Voices Episode 53 | Jobs, Protests, and Corruption in Iraq’s Media Landscape
This week's episode examines the protests by graduates demanding public sector jobs and the politics behind Iraq's bloated public payroll, including potential alternatives, from universal basic income to overhauling subsidies.
The conversation then turns to Iraq's anti-corruption campaign, following the arrest of a prominent media personality for bribery and ties to a well-known politician. We explore what this could mean for the proliferation of low-quality media outlets, and the importance of rebuilding public trust.
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Iraqi Voices Episode 52 | Iraq’s Resistance Factions and the Politics of Integration
With the September 30 deadline approaching, the debate over the future of the resistance factions is entering a critical phase. While some factions have signalled their willingness to place their weapons and forces under state authority, others continue to resist disarmament, arguing that the conditions which gave rise to the resistance have not disappeared.
This episode examines the pushback from factions including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba and unpacks the arguments they have advanced for retaining their weapons. We also examine the incentives behind Kataib Imam Ali’s decision to transition into politics and join the Coordination Framework, and ask why the same path may hold considerably less appeal for the more senior factions of the resistance axis.
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Iraqi Voices Episode 51 | Assessing the Zaidi Government's First 100 Days
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Iraqi Voices Episode 50 | Reflections on Corruption, Foreign Policy and Democratic Development
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Iraqi Voices Episode 49 | Zaidi's Balancing Act: Washington, Tehran, and the Anti-Corruption Push
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Iraq’s Latest Anti-Corruption Campaign: A Turning Point or Another Selective Purge? | By @omar_nidawi
1001iraqithoughts.com/2026/0…
Iraqi Voices Episode 48 | Can Zaidi's Visit to Washington Reset US-Iraq Relations?
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Rethinking Iraq’s Relationship with the United States | By @aalmawlawi 1001iraqithoughts.com/2026/0…
What Unity Looked Like in Iraq’s World Cup Campaign | By @HamzehKarkhi
1001iraqithoughts.com/2026/0…
Iraqi Voices Episode 47 | Implications of Iraq's Corruption Crackdown on the Political Order
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Iraqi Voices Episode 46 | Does Iraq's Anti-Corruption Drive Signal Reform or Politicized Justice?
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Iraqi Voices Episode 45 | Laying Down Arms: Iraq's Paramilitaries and the Push for State Integration
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Iraqi Voices Episode 44 | The case for statecraft over sloganeering in Iraq
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