Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know Authorities said the individual is linked to a mysterious pro-Iran group that has been claiming attacks on Jewish communities in Europe. Iraq
Iraq parliament approves government of Prime Minister Zaidi Ali al-Zaidi, a prominent businessman with limited political experience, has backing from both the US and Iran. Iraq
Iraq’s Sadr says 'exclude' armed groups from next government as pressure builds The cleric's call comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi tries to form a government amid political divisions and US demands to curb the influence of Iran-backed actors. Iraq
US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence. Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Iraqi efforts underway to resolve Kurdish oil exports via Turkey Ankara, Baghdad and Erbil appear willing to negotiate a new mechanism after an international tribunal dealt a blow to Kurdistan’s drive to sell its oil independently. Turkey
Iraqis continue to protest controversial electoral law amendment An amendment was passed by the Iraqi parliament that critics say will benefit larger political parties at the expense of independents that emerged following the 2019 Tishreen protests. Tunisia
Analysis Iran-Iraq agreement about more than borders Tehran reinforces position in Iraq with border deal; Syria heats up despite Arab rapprochement; Iraq-Turkey manage differences on water, oil and PKK. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Iraq marks somber Ramadan amid economic, political crises The holy month used to be a special time for Iraqis, filled with spiritual and social activities. But it has lost meaning due to the ongoing economic crisis and political conflict in the country. Iraq
Turkey, Iraq laud cooperation, but major disagreements remain Sudani on his first visit to Ankara, stressed the importance of Iraq’s sovereignty in the two countries' fight against terrorism. Turkey
Explainer: How Iraq planted the seeds for China's Saudi-Iran deal Iran and Saudi Arabia finalized their negotiations in Beijing after five sessions of mediation in Baghdad since 2019. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis France cautious about China's role but welcomes Iran-Saudi agreement Paris would have much preferred that the Saudi-Iran rapprochement would have been reached by means other than Chinese mediation. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
'No pretext to delay' Iraqi Kurdistan parliament elections, says Masoud Barzani Iraqi Kurdish leader, in exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, cites "positive atmosphere" of budget talks, discusses prospects for oil law, relations with the United States, Iran, China and issues affecting the Kurdish people in Iraq and the region. Iraq
'Iraq is not an Islamic country': Minorities protest Baghdad's alcohol ban as unconstitutional The Iraqi government's renewed effort to prohibit alcohol is not only worrisome for Christian and Yazidi minorities, but also raises constitutionality questions. Iraq
Iraq's soccer team celebrates with militia leaders after Gulf Cup victory The team held up a photo of militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed by a US drone strike in 2020. Iraq
In restive Iran-Iraq border area, support for firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr holds strong Al-Monitor traveled to Iraq’s impoverished southeast, known for drug smuggling and militia violence, to explore the continued support there for the Sadr movement. Iraq
Iraq's pro-Iran militias plan mass demonstrations on anniversary of Soleimani's killing The PMU had set up a monument of Qassim Soleimani and Abo Mahdi Mohandas on Baghdad's airport boulevard this year, something that the former Iraqi government had blocked Iraq
