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1 1 (June 16, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govdfyz0001 and id is 1 raw text is: k 4 F xa h: \5k k Iraq and U.S. Policy Mezw Gock'ernmient Makes Offlce., A& Onazts In May 2020, the IraqiCouncil of Representatives (COR), confirmed Iraqi National Intelligence Service director Mustafa al Kadhimias Prime Minister, andin June finished confirmation of his cabinet members, bringing months of political deadlockover government leadership to a close. Upon taking office, Al Kadhimi declared that his government would serve in a transitional capacity and would workto improve security and fightcorruption while preparing for early elections. Iraqi authorities have instituted curfews and travel restrictions in responseto the COVIID-19 pandemic, which poses serious public health, economic, and fiscalrisks to thecountry. Prime Minister AlKadhimi's priorities include: mobilizing resources tofight the COVIID-19 pandemic; restrictingweapons to state andmilitary institutions; addressing what he calls the worst economic situation since the formation of the Iraqi state; and protectingthe sovereignty and security oflraq, continuing to fight terrorism, and providing a national vision on the future offoreign forces in Iraq. Early elections under arevamped systemcould introduce new political leadership, but fis calpres sures, political rivalries, and limited ins titutional capacity may present serious hurdles to reform AlKadhimi's administrationhas focusedon COVIID-19 risks and related economic and fiscal fallout and engaged the United States in opening strategic dialogue talks to reset the relationship. Al Kadhimi's predecessor, AdelAbd Al Mahdi, resigned in November2019, afterjust over a year in office. Abd Al Mahdi served in a caretakerrole while politicalblocs grappled over identifying his replacement. His resignation came as deadly attacks by some security forces and militias killed hundreds ofprotestors and wounded thousands across central and southern Iraq. A spirited protest movement, of unprecedented scope in Iraq's post-2003 history, had erupted in October 2019 and mobilized hundreds of thousands seeking systemic change. While protestors have dispersed due to reported public fatigue and COVIID-19 mitigation measures, their demands for reformand an end to corruption and foreign interference remain unsatisfied. As protests intensified in late 2019, the COR adopted a new election law that would replaceIraq's list-based system with an individual candidate- and district-based system As of June, the law has yetto be finalized and published, with plans for district and seat allocation pending. Authorities are likely to avoid electoral arrangements that could require a controversial census given intermittent unrest, security disruptions, andunprecedentedpublic health threats. Figure I. Iraq Mus 4- S 1 1 A C I (BAQ Ku. uk Iim.rPk 1 Sources: CRS, using ESRI and U.S. State Department data. Prime Minister AlKadhimimay implement some changes in response to protestors' demands, but militias, Islamic State insurgents, security sector reform, reconstruction needs, demographic pressures, and oil dependence are likely to challengehis administration and his successors. U.S.-Iran confrontation also has continued to amplify underlying disputes among Iraqis over government leadership and Iraq's international orientation and security partnerships. Following escalating Iran-linked threats to U.S. and Iraqipersonnelin 2018 and 2019, a January 2020 U.S. air strike in Iraq killed Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps -Qods Force Commander General Qas em Soleimani and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) leader Abu Mahdi alMuhandis. In response, the COR voted to direct then-acting prime minister Abd AlMahdito remove foreign forces fromfraq, but he deferred pending the formation of a new government. Iran launched mis siles at Iraqi b as es hosting U.S. forces in retaliation for the U.S. strike, injuring U.S. personnel. The U.S. operation eliminated key figures in Iran's efforts to shape Iraqi security andpolitics, but also led to the temporary suspension of security cooperation andtraining. Iraqi militias since have conducted more rocket attacks, killing and injuring U.S., U.K., and Iraqipersonnel. U.S. forces haveretaliated, and further escalation is possible. U.S. officials remain concerned about threats posedby Iran- backed militias in Iraq, including some PMFunits. A A '2 Updated June 16,2020

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