The story: A judicial crisis has blown open as Iraq's Federal Court of Cassation (FCC) has for the first time overturned a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court (FSC). The contention revolves around a retired judge's compensation package, which has now been deemed unconstitutional. Of further note, the FCC’s chief judge has asserted that it holds ultimate authority over all rulings in Iraq. This potentially opens the door for a reassessment of other hot-button verdicts by the Federal Supreme Court which have been accused of being politicized. 

The coverage: A five-page ruling signed by FCC Chief Judge Zaidan Saadoun on May 30 found that an Apr. 2023 decision by the FSC on...