Iraq’s Prime Minister, Iran-Backed Militias Set for Difficult Negotiations After Election

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s coalition came first in this week’s parliamentary election, but Iran-backed militias also had a strong showing, setting up what could be long negotiations over who will be the country’s leader.

Sudani had been seeking a second term, positioning himself as a leader who could make Iraq independent of both the U.S. and Iran, the two rivals that have battled for influence over the country since the 2003 American-led invasion.