Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatar says no direct Iran-US talks in Doha Saudi FM visits Beijing; Iraq’s premier expands anti-corruption crackdown; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Here's what to know about Iraq's corruption as Zaidi launches crackdown Watchdogs and financial institutions regard Iraq as a significantly corrupt country as the new prime minister works to recover public funds. Iraq
Analysis Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias Iraq’s new prime minister has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign ahead of key talks in Washington, but analysts say the real test will be whether it reaches Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed actors. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Explainer After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC? Iraq is seeking a higher production quota as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has slashed oil revenues and plunged the country into a fiscal crisis. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Region welcomes US-Iran deal 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 By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran-backed PMU militias in Iraq raising profile Danish elite forces left the Iraqi-Syrian border area in late October against a backdrop of tension between Denmark and Iran. Iraq
Can new PM make Iraq's grand plans a reality? Iraq's new prime minister is making the economy a priority, but some question whether he will be able to tackle longstanding roadblocks that threaten his plan's success. Iraq
As protests continue, residents of Iraq's Basra call for autonomy Basra residents, who have been protesting to demand services and jobs, are disappointed with the new government for not appointing any minister from Basra and call for the establishment of a Basra federal region. Iraq
Will Iraqis get green light to enter restricted Green Zone? Iraq's new prime minister wants to lift at least some limits on entering Baghdad's Green Zone, but he is likely to face strong opposition from politicians and foreign diplomats there. Iraq
Iraq halts oil exports to Iran as new US sanctions begin Iraq has announced that it will stop the export of oil to Iran from Kirkuk fields to abide by the new wave of US sanction on Iran imposed Nov. 5. Iraq
School bells ring again at Mosul's Christian school Shimon Safa Elementary School has welcomed students of many faiths for years, and now the Christian school has opened again, thanks to the residents of the city. Iraq
US gives Iraqis an out on Iran sanctions Although Iraq continues to accuse Washington of meddling in its internal affairs, both countries have made concessions on Iran sanctions. Iraq
Iraq, Syria lay plans to reopen border Despite the ongoing threats from Islamic State militants along the Iraq-Syria border, the two countries are preparing to reopen important crossings. Iraq
Iraq working to make money, not burn it up in gas flares Iraq is making progress on its project to capture the potentially lucrative gas associated with oil extracted from its southern fields, which it has been burning off for decades. Iraq
Will new Iraqi government resolve Baghdad-KRG issues? The peaceful formation of a new government in Iraq has raised hopes that the outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil might be resolved, but a number of obstacles stand in the way of it actually happening despite amicable relations among the countries leaders. Iraq
Why Iraqi Turkmens are excluded from the new government Iraqi Turkmens say they have been excluded from the new Iraqi government because they refuse to follow a sectarian approach to politics. Iraq
Iraqi border city eyes IS advance amid dust storms Iraqi security forces on Iraq's border with Syria have been placed on a higher level of alert amid an Islamic State advance on the Syrian side of the border. Iraq