Iraq taps Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US Baghdad’s pick of a US-educated Armenian Christian adviser as envoy to Washington underscores a bid to reset US-Iraq ties and broaden the country’s diplomatic profile. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Region welcomes US-Iran deal Gulf states, Turkey and Lebanon cautiously praise the framework while urging full implementation and protection of maritime trade routes. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive Barrack heads to Iraq as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias US envoy Tom Barrack is due to meet with Iraq’s new prime minister and other top officials in Baghdad, where he will likely press US demands for Iran-backed Shiite militias be dismantled and disarmed. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Culture World Cup opens amid visa disputes for Iran, Iraq and Somalia Iran says a number of team staff were denied entry into the US, with Trump administration officials touting efforts to prevent affiliates of designated terrorist groups from entering. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iraq rolls out new plan to reduce chronic Baghdad traffic Successive Iraqi governments have tried but failed to address the problem of traffic in the capital. Sudani's plan involves building new bridges and overpasses. Iraq
Culture Artistic heart of Iraq's Kurdistan thrives, but wants more public engagement Sulaimaniyah, often called the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s “culture capital,” has become something of a haven for artists, though obstacles remain for the vibrant and self-sustaining artistic center they envision. Iraq
In shift away from US dollar, Iraq to allow trade with China in yuan Some countries in the region are increasingly looking away from the dollar. Iraq
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Russia's role seen as negative in Turkey, Yemen, Iraq The Russian invasion of Ukraine hurt the region economically, as supply chain disruptions and food shortages topped respondents concerns in Turkey, Egypt, Yemen and Iraq Turkey
In Iraq, Macron seeks bigger sphere of influence for France In less than a month, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted both Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani as Paris works to revive its influence in the region and counter China and Iran. Iraq
Honor killings in Iraq rekindle efforts to criminalize domestic violence There is once again outrage and calls for legal reforms in Iraq to protect women from being murdered at the hands of family members. Iraq
Iraqi parliament's attempt to amend electoral law met with anger The controversial amendment, which will benefit Iraq's larger political parties at the expense of independent ones, is causing political division in the country between the ruling coalition and Sadrists, among others. Iraq
Iraq's FM: We are in touch with the US, Iran to reduce tensions In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Fuad Hussein discusses US-Iraq economic relations, regional economic integration and sanctions on Russia and Iran. Iraq
Russia's Lavrov in Iraq, looks for sanctions relief Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s trip to Iraq focused on expanding energy and trade ties, while making a pitch for relief from US sanctions. Iraq
Iraq's PM in UAE as Abu Dhabi announces water project in Sinjar Iraq is pivoting towards the Gulf in its foreign policy while also seeking to maintain good ties with Iran. Iraq
Iraq lowers dollar-dinar exchange rate The Iraqi dinar has been depreciating against the dollar amid restrictions from the US Federal Reserve and other issues. Iraq
Trilateral Biden-Abdullah-Sudani call reiterated support for Iraq The Iraqi prime minister also discussed Iraq’s economic situation with the president as the dinar continues to slide against the dollar. Jordan's King Abdullah II was also on the call. Iraq