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Iraq

September 7, 2026

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A man walks past a mural depicting oil pumps and the Venezuelan flag, with portraits of Venezuelan independence leader Simon Bolivar (L) and former late President Hugo Chavez (R), in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sept. 3, 2026.

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.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

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.

AFP via Getty Images

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.

Iraqi army troops patrol the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border

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.

Latest News

Iraq summons Iran envoy over 'Persian Gulf' post, Baghdad name origins: What to know

Fred TANNEAU / AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Iraq's Zaidi set to make European debut with Macron in France

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi delivers a speech in Baghdad, May 16, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

Residents carry coffins during the funeral of victims killed in clashes with security forces in Falluja, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, January 26, 2013. Thousands of mourners attended on Saturday a funeral procession for protesters killed on the day before in Falluja during clashes with Iraqi soldiers in the wake of protest against government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. At least three people were killed on Friday when Iraqi troops opened fire during clashes with Sunni protesters in Falluja

Iraq's Problems Go Beyond Maliki

Mustafa Al-Khadimi writes that the problems in Iraq are not solely caused by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, but instead reveal the shortcomings of the entire Iraqi political process.

A farmer sows seeds of cucumber at his farm near an oilfield in Iraq's southern province of Basra August 12, 2010. The fertile acreage atop some of the world's largest oilfields has been farmed for dates, melons and vegetables for centuries but the tribes that work the land fear they are being pushed aside in the rush to develop Iraq's vast reserves. Picture taken August 12, 2010. To match Feature IRAQ-OIL/FARMS REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: ENERGY AGRICULTURE BUSINESS) - RTR2HDNU

Iraqi Agriculture in Crisis

Agriculture in Iraq is experiencing a downturn as farmers leave their family trades for more lucrative government positions with steady salaries and government benefits, writes Omar al-Shaher.

Iraqi Sunni Muslims wave an Iraqi national flag during an anti-government demonstration at the Abu Hanifa Sunni mosque in Baghdad's Adhamiya district, January 25, 2013. At least three people were killed on Friday when Iraqi troops opened fire during clashes in Falluja city with Sunni protesters rallying against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, officials and witnesses said. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST RELIGION) - RTR3CXNM

Sectarian Agenda Seeks 'Sunni Restoration' in Syria, Iraq

Geoffrey Aronson writes that the sectarian agenda of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Syria is really about a "'Sunni restoration" in Iraq.

An Iraqi policeman watches as he stands guard during the funeral of victim killed in clashes with security forces in Falluja, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, January 26, 2013. Thousands of mourners attended on Saturday a funeral procession for protesters killed on the day before in Falluja during clashes with Iraqi soldiers in the wake of protest against government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. At least three people were killed on Friday when Iraqi troops opened fire during clashes with Sunni

Iraqiyya Bloc Seeks to Gain From Sunni Unrest in Iraq

The opposition Iraqiyya bloc, led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, is seeking to capitalize on protests by Sunni Iraqis against the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, writes Ali Abel Sadah.

Iraqi Sunni Muslims take part in an anti-government demonstration in Falluja, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, December 28, 2012. Tens of thousands of protesters from Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority poured onto the streets after Friday prayers in a show of force against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, keeping up a week-old blockade of a highway. Around 60,000 people blocked the main road through the city of Falluja, setting fire to the Iranian flag and shouting "out, out Iran! Baghdad stays free" and "

Prisoner Release Raises Questions About Role of Iraqi Courts

The role of Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al-Shahristani in the release of dozens of prisoners has raised questions about both the Iraqi courts and the reasons for the release, writes Mushreq Abbas.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari (R) talks with an Omani Foreign Affairs representative as they attend the Arab League foreign ministers' meeting on Syria at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo November 12 , 2012. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3ABK8

Iraq Sends Mixed Signals on Syria

Iraqi Shiites have not been quick to endorse the Syrian uprising, partly out of fear of the rise of Salafist groups, writes Mushreq Abbas.

Employees of the state-run South Oil Company (SOC) join a new oil storage tank to the oil pipelines near the southern city of Basra January 14, 2013. The head of the state-run South Oil Company said the new facility will add a capacity of one million barrels to the existing 5.5 million barrels available. REUTERS/Atef Hassan (IRAQ - Tags: ENERGY CIVIL UNREST)

Iraqi Kurds Press Ahead With Pipeline Plans

Despite protests from Baghdad, the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq is moving ahead with plans to develop the infrastructure for an oil pipeline to Turkey, reports Abdel Hamid Zebari.

Kurdistan Regional Government Natural Resources Minister Ashti Hawrami (R) shakes hands with Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Yildiz during a joint news conference in Arbil, about 350 km (217 miles) north of Baghdad, May 20,2012. Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region expects to start exporting oil from its fields along a new pipeline to the Turkish border when the line is complete in August 2013, Hawrami said on Sunday. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari (IRAQ - Tags: ENERGY POLITICS)

Turkey Seeks 'Interdependence' With Iraqi Kurdistan

Turkish officials seek to set the record straight that Ankara seeks interdependence with, not independence for, Iraqi Kurdistan, writes Tulin Daloglu.

An Iraqi soldier stands guard near Iraqi-Syrian borders at the Abu Kamal-qaim border crossing, the main border post between Iraq and Syria, July 20, 2012. REUTERS/Saad Shalash (IRAQ - Tags - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

Iraqi Forces Confront Al-Qaeda Militants

The Iraqi army is conducting military operations against al-Qaeda militants in western Iraq, with concerns that these groups are coordinating with terrorist groups in Syria, reports Ali Abel Sadah.

A customer changes U.S. dollars to Iraqi dinars at a money changer in Baghdad October 1, 2012. Many Iraqis have lost faith in their dinar currency but to some foreign speculators, it promises big profits. The contrast underlines the uncertainties of investing in Iraq as the country recovers from years of war and economic sanctions. Picture taken October 1, 2012. To match IRAQ-ECONOMY/DINAR REUTERS/Saad Shalash (IRAQ - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS)

Iraqi Government Seeks Control Over Central Bank

Some speculate that the deputy governor of Iraq’s central bank’s arrest for embezzlement is an attempt by the government to expand its control of the financial body, writes Omar al-Shaher.

Iraqi policemen look at supporters waving the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) flags during a sand storm at a rally ahead of March 7 parliamentarian elections in Kirkuk, 250 km (150 miles) north of Baghdad, February 23, 2010. Picture taken February 23, 2010. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Iraqi Kurds Endure Seven Years Of Waiting for New Constitution

Negotiations continue on a draft new constitution for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq which would have the president be selected by the parliament, rather than directly elected by the people, reports Abdel Hamid Zebari.

An investor monitors share prices on an electronic board at the Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) in Baghdad , January 7, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ - Tags - Tags: BUSINESS)

Iraqi Sectarian Politics Contribute To Mismanaged Economy

Sectarian politics has limited Iraq's ability to benefit from qualified economists and financial specialists in top government positions, writes Omar al-Shaher.