Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) remains divisive, poorly understood, and plagued by internal divisions, as it is both recognized by the state and at the behest of nonstate leadership figures. Key challenges involving the PMF will shape Iraq’s political and security future.

Iraq’s parliament is facing an unprecedented crisis centered around Prime Minister Abadi’s two failed attempts to pass a list of candidates for a new cabinet of so-called technocrats.

The Iraqi elections are decisive in determining the leadership and makeup of the next Iraqi government, which will face critical challenges in the areas of political inclusion, maintaining security, managing internal tensions over Kirkuk, and rebuilding relations with the GCC and other neighbours.