The government of new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi faces a host of challenges left unsolved by his predecessor Adil Abd al-Mahdi (MEES, 8 May). Formed in October 2018, Mr Abd al-Mahdi’s government at first appeared promising – many of his ministers were technocrats, and the prime minister himself wasn’t a player embedded in Iraq’s political establishment.

But ultimately, the government proved ineffectual, with its heavy-handed management of the October uprising forcing its resignation last November. Many of its reform efforts were thus cut short. (CONTINUED - 1089 WORDS)