Topic: Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

Questions grow over Iran's influence in Iraq

As Tariq al-Hashemi's death sentence heightens sectarian tensions in Iraq, Shiite Iran's role there is getting more attention, including a potential clerical succession struggle in Najaf.

Backchannels After Formula One scrutiny, Bahrain hires a fan of Saddam Hussein to improve its image

Well, nothing else is working.

Iran's bid for power in postwar Iraq

As Iraqi Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki meets President Obama in Washington, Tehran is trying to broaden its influence in Iraq by installing a heavy-hitting cleric there.

The Monitor's View: Americans in cross hairs of mosque-state struggle

Iraq's elected leaders are moving toward clerical rule while in Iran a leading Shiite cleric, who advocates secular rule, suffers in prison.

Libya vs. Bahrain: danger of the West's double standard

The hypocrisy of the West's intervention on behalf of Libyan rebels in the face of its implicit endorsement of the repressive leadership in Yemen and Bahrain is stark. For the sake of Arab freedom and its own interests, the West must take sides against the Saudi-led counter-revolution.

Iraq swirls with rumors of Egypt-like protests to come

With their televisions set to 24-hour coverage of the turmoil in Egypt, Iraqis have mounted a number of modest protests in recent days against power, water, and food shortages.

What Arbain in Iraq is like

A story on the 'Iraqi block party on steroids' from our archives.

Attacks on US forces still an option, says Muqtada al-Sadr upon return to Iraq

In his first public address in Iraq since leaving the country almost four years ago, fiery Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr this weekend led thousands of followers in chants of 'No to America.'

The Monitor's View: Baghdad bombings – incentive to move forward on elections

Insurgents are trying to disrupt the political process. Iraqi politicians can undermine these terrorists by promptly passing a new election law.

Iraq election stalemate could delay US troop withdrawal

Iraqi lawmakers are divided over legislation required to go ahead with elections scheduled for January. Drawdown of US troops in Iraq was set to speed up after the elections.

Twist in Iraq's democracy: anti-American party pushes electoral reform

Ahead of January elections, supporters of the Sadr movement cast ballots for individual candidates – rather than parties – for the first time in a primary poll.

Interview: Iraqi VP Adel Abdul Mahdi

Dr. Mahdi talked to Monitor correspondent Jane Arraf about upcoming national elections, Iraq's security and economic issues, and relations with Iraq's neighbors.

The Monitor's View: What Iraq can teach Iran

Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq shows religion can play an influential, but background, role in a secular democracy.

Discontent over Maliki threatens US-Iraqi security pact

Wednesday's vote on a security pact to allow US troops to remain in Iraq for three more years is being seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Maliki's performance.

World

Iraqi cabinet votes to keep US troops

A new pact that faces final approval from parliament will keep US troops in Iraq for up to three more years. By June 2009 US forces will pull back to major bases.

Basra gains revive talk of British exit

The British role in the southern Iraqi oil city, once lorded over by Mahdi Army militiamen and criminal gangs, may end in early 2009 if new security gains take hold.

U.S. and Iraq near a 'bridge' deal on status of U.S. troops

By the end of July, they hope to finalize a deal that would map out the role and "time horizon" for US troops in the country.

Iraqi Shiite Party rises as Sadr falls

The Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq aims to capitalize on the disarray within Moqtada al-Sadr's movement ahead of provincial elections planned for October.

World

Opinion: Iraq's Shiite power vacuum

Sistani's clout is diminishing. Sadr is eyeing his spot.