Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM Trump signals hope for a "tremendous new chapter” in US-Iraq ties with the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister. By Week in Review
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
Iraqi churches shoulder burden of reconstruction, for now In Iraq, churches have taken the lead in persuading and helping Christians return to towns razed by the Islamic State. Iraq
Iran-Iraq War continues to claim lives The vast number of anti-personnel mines planted during the Iran-Iraq War continue to maim and kill on both sides of the border, but Iran refuses to engage states and organizations with experience in de-mining. Iraq
Counter-IS officials temper Trump’s rush to pull out of Syria US officials guiding the fight in Syria warned of a long struggle ahead to defeat the Islamic State. Iraq
Expect change in Iraq when embattled Kurds cast ballots Iraqi Kurds have made it clear in recent protests that they will make their voices heard and their votes count. Iraq
Iraqi courts seeking out atheists for prosecution Atheism is increasing among young people in Iraq, which some are blaming on Islamic parties' mismanagement of the country. Iraq
Erdogan keeps finger on trigger as PKK exits Sinjar It's unclear whether reports of Kurdish militants' withdrawal from Sinjar in Iraq have convinced Turkey not to launch a military offensive. Iraq
Yazidis in Iraq's Sinjar brace for possible Turkish attack The Yazidi community, which only recently faced Islamic State attacks, is now getting ready for a Turkish military operation in Sinjar announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Iraq
Dozens of Iraqi journalists enter parliamentary race An unusual number of Iraqi media figures are running in the elections scheduled for May 12, joining a wide variety of lists. Iraq
Power-sharing deal could end dispute over Kirkuk elections Iraq's Kirkuk governorate will hold elections this year — something that hasn't happened in more than a decade — and officials hope the voting will end the dispute over running the province. Iraq
Iraq to begin seizing assets of Saddam Hussein, cohorts The property of the regime of Saddam Hussein has become subject to confiscation, while many of the buildings are owned by political parties and occupied by current ministers and officials. Iraq
Hebrew prophet's tomb in Iraq saved from collapse The synagogue housing the tomb of the prophet Nahum — the only surviving prophet’s tomb from Mesopotamia — has been saved from collapse through the efforts of local Christians and with the help of a US-based organization. Iraq
Turkish firms welcome return of air access to Iraqi Kurdistan Now that Baghdad has lifted the ban on international travel to the Iraqi Kurdistan region, experts say the Turkish government needs to resume mutual flights as soon as possible. Iraq