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Iraqi Voices

1001 Iraqi Thoughts

Iraqi Voices offers expert analysis and insight into the key developments shaping Iraq. Each week, we examine one major issue, cutting through conjecture and noise to help listeners navigate the country’s complex political, economic and social landscape.

Iraqi Voices is produced by 1001 Iraqi Thoughts.

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#56
October 1 · 17 min
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.
#55
September 24 · 15 min
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.
#54
September 17 · 14 min
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.
#53
September 10 · 26 min
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.
#52
September 3 · 15 min
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.
#51
August 26 · 31 min
Assessing the Zaidi Government's First 100 Days
As Prime Minister Zaidi marks his 100th day in office, we assess the government's performance so far, breaking down five areas of focus: anti-corruption raids, demobilization and integration of armed factions, the electricity grid, budget reform and debt management, and the plan to allocate a million plots of land to Iraqis. The conversation digs into why Iraqi governments favor vague, sprawling lists of "priorities" over accountable, measurable goals; whether the anti-corruption campaign is a systemic reform effort or just a media spectacle; and how regional dynamics between the US and Iran are shaping Iraq’s disarmament timeline.
#50
August 19 · 28 min
Reflections on Corruption, Foreign Policy and Democratic Development
To mark our 50th episode, we revisit three themes that have defined Iraqi Voices: the fight against corruption and the importance of integrity in leadership, Iraq’s search for a coherent foreign policy, and the country’s democratic development. Three months into Prime Minister Zaidi’s term, we discuss whether the anti-corruption drive reflects genuine institutional reform or simply a change in political will. We also examine the costs of a passive policy of “neutrality” in an increasingly volatile region, and revisit criticism of choosing a prime minister who has never run for office.
#49
July 22 · 21 min
Zaidi's Balancing Act: Washington, Tehran, and the Anti-Corruption Push
In this episode of Iraqi Voices, the hosts unpack Prime Minister Zaidi's five-day visit to the United States amid nearly 50 agreements signed with American government institutions and firms and discuss whether they can materialize into projects on the ground. The hosts also examine Zaidi's upcoming first official visit to Tehran, debating whether the back-to-back Washington-Tehran itinerary undermines or reinforces Iraq's delicate balancing act between the two rival powers. With the September 30th deadline for the disarming of resistance factions looming, they explore the pressure Zaidi faces from Washington and what he needs from Iran. Finally, the team covers the latest in Iraq's anti-corruption campaign, including raids connected to prominent Coordination Framework figure Ahmed Al-Asadi, and what the slow trickle of elite-level arrests signals about the trajectory of Zaidi's reform agenda.
#48
July 15 · 19 min
Can Zaidi's Visit to Washington Reset US-Iraq Relations?
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi made his first official visit to Washington, DC, meeting President Donald Trump in the Oval Office just two months after taking office. But did the visit come too soon? In this episode, the hosts offer their initial assessment of the White House meeting and examine why Washington continues to view Iraq through the prism of Iran, as well as why an Oval Office photo opportunity is no substitute for a sustained diplomatic strategy. The discussion also covers the September 30 deadline for the disarmament of non-state armed factions and the full withdrawal of Coalition forces from Iraq, and why Zaidi’s US visit could ultimately backfire at home.
#47
June 30 · 25 min
Implications of Iraq's Corruption Crackdown on the Political Order
The wave of high-profile anti-corruption arrests has sent shockwaves through Iraq. But how far are Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and the judiciary prepared to take this campaign, and what could it mean for the country's political order? In this episode, we examine the political significance of the crackdown and consider whether the arrests could lead to a broader recalibration of Iraq's political landscape. We assess the potential implications for parliament, the balance of power among Iraq's political factions, and how it could impact the Zaidi government.
#46
June 24 · 21 min
Does Iraq's Anti-Corruption Drive Signal Reform or Politicized Justice?
In this episode, the hosts analyze Iraq's accelerating anti-corruption campaign under Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi. The discussion covers the high-profile arrests of senior officials in the ministries of Oil and Electricity, the wave of senior personnel changes sweeping the heart of government, and what it all means for former Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani. The hosts also examine whether this momentum signals genuine institutional reform or selective and politicized justice.
#45
June 10 · 22 min
Laying Down Arms: Iraq's Paramilitaries and the Push for State Integration
Since the formation of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's government, a series of declarations by the Sadrist Movement, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and Kata'ib Imam Ali have signaled a growing willingness to abandon armed wings and integrate more fully into the Iraqi state. But what do these declarations actually mean in practice? The hosts unpack the technical process of Hashd integration, examine Sadr's long history of pledges to disband armed formations, and explore the political calculations driving these latest announcements. They also discuss why different factions face varying incentives, and what the evolution of Iraq's armed movements reveals about the country's broader political trajectory.
#44
June 1 · 36 min
The Case for Statecraft Over Sloganeering in Iraq
In this episode, we assess PM Zaidi's first two weeks in office and discuss why political slogans and broad promises are no longer enough, and why Zaidi will need to articulate clear policy priorities that demonstrate his vision for Iraq and his approach to governing. The conversation also examines the importance of effective public communication in building credibility, particularly at a time of mounting economic pressure. Finally, we unpack the government’s decision to undertake a comprehensive review of public contracts and what it may reveal about Zaidi’s approach to corruption, accountability, and reform.
#43
May 20 · 27 min
Deconstructing the Power Struggle Over Zaidi’s Cabinet
This episode examines the parliamentary session that reshuffled the country's political landscape on May 14. Ali Al-Zaidi was confirmed as prime minister, but only 14 of his 19 proposed ministers won parliamentary approval, while five nominees linked to Nouri Al-Maliki, Masoud Barzani, and Muthanna Al-Samarrai were blocked in what appears to have been a coordinated political maneuver by their rivals. The hosts break down what really happened inside parliament that day and unpack the emerging tripartite bloc between Qais Al-Khazali, Haybat Al-Halbousi, and Bafel Talabani, and trace its roots back to the December 2025 speaker vote.
#42
May 13 · 25 min
Inside the Bargaining Over Iraq’s Next Government
In this episode, we unpack the behind-the-scenes negotiations shaping Iraq’s next government, including the bargaining over ministerial portfolios, the formulas used to divide government positions, and the competing interests driving talks among the political elite. We also examine how Ali Al-Zaidi and his proposed cabinet may attempt to navigate explicit US objections to the inclusion of political actors linked to armed factions.
#41
May 6 · 24 min
Ali Al-Zaidi’s Path to Power and What Comes Next
This episode unpacks how Ali Al-Zaidi emerged as the nominee through behind-the-scenes negotiations that ended the political deadlock. The hosts examine the rapid endorsements from Washington and Tehran, and what his cabinet and inner circle could look like. They also discuss the debate over technocratic versus partisan ministers, and assess Zaidi’s early rhetoric, including his claim that the KRG salary dispute has been resolved and what it suggests about his governing style.
#40
April 29 · 21 min
Ali Al-Zaidi tapped to lead Iraq’s next government
This episode delves into the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister on April 27th. The hosts break down the months-long negotiations within the Coordination Framework and examine who Zaidi is, a banker and business oligarch with no prior experience with public office. The hosts also discuss what his selection reveals about Iraq's democratic process and what the next 30 days of government formation could look like.
#39
April 22 · 22 min
Deadlock over the Nomination of the Prime Minister
Following the election of President Nizar Amedi, Iraq's political elite are scrambling to determine who will lead the next government and struggling to agree on even the most basic rules for making that decision. This episode unpacks the political deal behind Kirkuk's government reshuffle, the KDP's self-defeating parliamentary boycott, and the Coordination Framework's paralysis over nominating a prime minister ahead of the April 26 deadline. The hosts also step back to ask a harder question: does it even matter who gets nominated if the ruling class refuses to prioritize integrity over political self-interest?
#38
April 13 · 26 min
Iraq's New President: How Amedi Won and Why the KDP Lost
On April 11th, Iraq's parliament elected Nizar Amedi as president of the republic — ending months of political deadlock. This episode breaks down what finally forced parliament to act, why the KDP's strategy failed for the third consecutive time, and what the election of Amedi reveals about shifting alliances in Iraqi politics. The hosts also discuss the calculus behind deciding the next prime minister and what it could mean for Iraq's future.
#37
April 9 · 14 min
Can the fragile US-Iran ceasefire halt the violence in Iraq?
This episode discusses the fragile US-Iran ceasefire and what it means for Iraq. The hosts examine Iraq's limited diplomatic leverage, the government's inability to rein in armed factions, the latest moves in parliament toward government formation, and Iraqi Kurdistan’s precarious neutrality, all while Iraqis continue to bear a devastating human cost from the conflict.

Showing 1–20 of 25 episodes