Analysis Could Trump’s oil push in Venezuela upend OPEC’s energy order? Washington’s growing role in controlling the Latin American country's crude riches could help reshape an energy order centered on OPEC as the Hormuz crisis pressures Gulf exports. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
After gun found in lake, French police probe link to 2012 Iraqi family murder A recently discovered Luger pistol may have been used in the mysterious 2012 killing of the al-Hilli family near the Alpine town of Chevaline in eastern France. Iraq
Iraq sentences kidnapper of US journalist Shelly Kittleson to 15 years: What to know The first sentencing in relation to Shelly Kittleson’s abduction comes as Iraq moves to rein in Iran-backed militias. Iraq
Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know Iraq is sending the reinforcements in response to Iran-backed militia attacks and as it looks to build security ties with Riyadh. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatari PM heads for Tehran amid flurry of regional diplomacy By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Senate Democrats urge Israel to rein in West Bank violence By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive Iraq's Zaidi set to make European debut with Macron in France By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
US Complicates Turkey’s Energy Interests in Iraq, Iran US sanctions on Iran and its disapproval of energy investments in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have complicated Turkey’s energy policies, writes Olgu Okumus. Iraq
Truce Proposal Splits Sunni Protesters in Iraq A truce proposal between Sunnis protesting in Anbar and the Iraqi government has been accepted by some Sunnis but rejected by others, reports Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
State Failure Behind Iraqi Sectarian Violence Failures in post-invasion state-building are fueling ongoing sectarian strife in Iraq, writes Narav Salahaddin. Iraq
Iraq's Housing Crisis Worsens Amid High Population Growth According to figures released by Iraq's Ministry of Planning, Iraq witnessed significant population growth in 2012, further exacerbating the country's housing crisis, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Saudi Arabia Clamps Down On Dissent Haytham Mouzahem asks whether recent Saudi actions are tied to efforts to quell sectarian dissent and contain any spillover from either the Shiite-based uprising in Bahrain or the Syrian crisis. Saudi Arabia
The Limits of Alliance in Iraq Between Kurds, Sunni Arabs Without agreement on key nationalist issues, particularly the boundaries of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, alignments between Iraq's Kurdish and Sunni groups against the prime inister are likely to be tactical and short-lived, writes Denise Natali. Iraq
Could Sistani Be Iraq’s Last Hope? Many in Iraq are looking to the country’s highest Shiite authority, Ali al-Sistani, as a last resort for a solution to the ongoing and dire political crisis there, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Sunni Tribes in Anbar, Kirkuk Prepare for Battle In the wake of the Hawija incidents where Sunni protesters were killed and injured by military forces, tribes and towns throughout the provinces of Anbar and Kirkuk are arming themselves, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
KRG Prime MinisterBreaks Ice in Baghdad Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani’s Baghdad visit seemed to offer glimmers of hope for resolving tensions between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
Iraqi Workers Lack Laws To Protect Their Rights In an economy lacking in diversity, many Iraqis seek refuge in government employment, placing an enormous burden on a government struggling to provide legislation that will protect their rights, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraq Plans to Launch Satellite To Deal With Water Crisis As part of efforts to monitor desertification and growing water shortages across the country, Iraq is working to build and launch a satellite before the end of the year, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraqi Government Bans TV Channels Over Coverage of Protest Violence The Iraqi government has banned 10 TV channels for covering the violence in Hawija, further raising political tensions in the country, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq