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Iraq

July 6, 2026

Baghdad 7:55 pm

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An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

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.

aqi security personnel patrol in a vehicle along a street in Baghdad on June 28, 2026.

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Explainer

After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC?

A worker at a market for fuel oil and automotive fuel on March 17, 2026, in Erbil, Iraq.

Iraq taps Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US

Krikor Der-Hagopian at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, on April 16, 2025.

Exclusive

Barrack heads to Iraq as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias

Tom Barrack

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

Kirkuk provincial Governor Najim al-Din Karim (C-R) raises the Iraqi flag to fly next to the Kurdish flag over a government building in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on March 28, 2017.
Provincial councillors in disputed, oil-rich Kirkuk province voted to fly the Kurdish regional flag over government buildings, a move likely to increase tensions with Baghdad. Only the 25 Kurdish provincial councillors backed the measure, while the 16 Arab and Turkmen members did not take part in the session. / AFP PHOT

Kurdish flag fans controversy in Iraq's Kirkuk

Raising the Kurdistan flag atop the governmental buildings in Kirkuk sparked tension in the province and in Baghdad.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: U.S. President Donald J. Trump greets Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the White House on March 20, 2017 in Washington DC. The meeting marks Haider al-Abadi's first visit to the US capital sinceTrump's inauguration. (Photo by Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images)

How will Abadi handle Iraq’s Shiite militias?

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi faces a great challenge in dealing with the predominately Shiite Popular Mobilization Units fighting in Iraq, as some of its factions are refusing to be integrated into the army and other security forces.

Torah scrolls are exhibited at the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center in Or Yehuda, near Tel Aviv, in this October 19, 2006 picture. World Jewish groups began a global campaign on Sunday calling for recognition of Jews from Arab countries as refugees in the Middle East conflict. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen (ISRAEL) - RTR1IKQX

One man's quest to save the Jewish Iraqi language

Oded Amit, who was born in Baghdad and eventually fled to Israel, has taken it upon himself to teach Israelis of Iraqi immigrants the language of their ancestors in order to preserve it.

An American soldier is seen at the U.S. army base in Qayyara, south of Mosul October 25, 2016. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTX2QEMR

Will US keep military bases in Iraq after IS?

The Iraqi prime minister's recent visit to the United States indicates both parties are interested in maintaining a US presence in Iraq after the Islamic State is forced out. However, Iran-backed militias strongly oppose the idea.

A view of a destroyed museum, where Islamic State militants filmed themselves destroying priceless statues and sculptures in 2015, during a battle against the militants in Mosul, Iraq, March 11, 2017. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTX30KNF

Calls for support as destroyed Mosul Museum seeks to rebuild

Not much is left of the Mosul Museum, Iraq's second most important museum, after Islamic State militants stole what they could carry and smashed and set the rest on fire.

Iraqi fighters from Hashid Shaabi take part in a training at Makhmur camp in Iraq December 11, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2UHUT

What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq?

Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq.

People do shopping at Nabi Yunus market after returning to their homes in the city of Mosul, Iraq Picture taken March 19, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal - RTX32IG2

Why aren't Mosul residents returning to liberated areas?

The residents of Mosul, especially the middle class, are leaving the city in large-scale numbers and have no hope of returning.

Idlib — more than Raqqa — may be decisive Syria fault line

Russian-Turkish agreement under strain in key northern city.

Iraqi federal police forces take on key role in west Mosul

Federal police forces are playing a crucial role in the liberation of Mosul, which will give them an opportunity to maintain security in the city after completing the liberation.

Why one Iraqi female MP is calling for law to encourage polygamy

An Iraqi parliamentarian has proposed a bill to financially compensate men who take on multiple wives.

An Iraqi soldier walks next to a wall painted with the black flag commonly used by Islamic State militants, during a battle with Islamic State militants near Arabi neighborhood, north of Mosul, Iraq, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSWOU6

Iraq’s Sunnis eye post-IS future under regional cover

Under Arab and international sponsorship, Iraq’s Sunni leaders recently attended a conference in Turkey to discuss the future of Sunnis in post-IS Iraq, with the conference sparking Shiite outrage and dissent among other Sunni officials opposed to the Turkish role in Iraq.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTX31WQK

Iraq PM visits White House amid debate over post-Mosul strategy

With the liberation of Mosul in sight, the Trump administration is internally divided on what formula might bring long-term stability.