Analysis Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint? As the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts around 20% of global oil supply, experts point to opportunities and challenges facing a renewed push to develop alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How the Iran war is giving Turkey's Erdogan a big boost Opinion polls show Turks turning to Erdogan as a steady hand during the war, even as the country's finances remain fragile. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Iran's first strike on Iraqi Kurdish forces since war began a warning to US allies The deadly strike on Kurdish forces underscores Tehran’s readiness to pressure US partners as Erbil is caught between Iran, Baghdad and Washington. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive Iraqi oil flows to Turkey after US pledges role in Baghdad-Kurds customs dispute A US-brokered breakthrough between Baghdad and Erbil has restarted Iraqi oil exports through Turkey after a weeklong standoff. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive Dana Gas evacuates Khor Mor staff in Iraq's Kurdistan Region after Iran threats By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
What's next for Turkish-Iraqi ties after deadly drone strike? The killing of Iraqi border guards in a Turkish drone strike undermines Baghdad’s traditional flexibility toward Ankara at a time when Turkey’s Arab adversaries are seeking to draw Iraq to their side. Iraq
Turkish drone strike kills two senior Iraqi officers, army says Officials say the Tuesday strike targeted a meeting between Iraqi border officials and Kurdish militants. Iraq
The Takeaway: Will catastrophe reshape Lebanon’s social contract? The scoop on the Syrian Kurdish oil deal; Sisi to challenge Erdogan in Iraq and Syria; Lapid leads list of contenders to challenge Bibi; don’t shortchange Iraq’s resilience. Lebanon
Can Syria's Kurds reel in Turkey with profits from American oil deal? The recent deal signed between the SDF and a US oil company is as much about political brinkmanship as oil. Syria
Iran strikes Kurdish Iranian group in Iraqi territory Iran sometimes targets the positions of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and other Kurdish Iranian groups based across the border in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Iraq
Hagia Sophia is open for prayers, but not to Kurds The Turkish government has deliberately excluded the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party from political and symbolic events ever since July 2015. This has not destroyed Turkey’s third-largest party, but it has contributed to the rise of Kurdophobia. Turkey
The latest reason Australia won’t take back citizens detained in Syria’s prisons for IS? Coronavirus Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne says COVID-19 has further complicated the possibilities of repatriating Australians captured during the war against the Islamic State in Syria. Syria
Famed Kurdish Iranian journalist receives asylum in New Zealand Behrouz Boochani is known for exposing conditions at Australia's offshore immigrant detention center on Manus Island. Iran
Iraqi Kurds fear Turkey’s military campaign aims beyond PKK Iraqi Kurds worry that Turkey’s pursuit of PKK militants inside Iraqi Kurdistan could result in a permanent Turkish military presence and moves to undermine their autonomous region. Turkey
Turkey sentences Germany-based journalist to prison in absentia Deniz Yucel was convicted of "incitement to hatred" and spreading "terror propaganda." Turkey
Iran executes three political prisoners, upholds more death verdicts Iran’s judiciary said death penalties against three political prisoners have been upheld while confirming that three other prisoners had been sent to the gallows. Iran
Intel: US CENTCOM commander meets with head of Syria’s Kurdish forces The head of Syria’s Kurdish-led militias said he met today with the top commander of US forces in the Middle East, Gen. Frank McKenzie, in northeast Syria. Syria
