Iraq’s Sadr says 'exclude' armed groups from next government as pressure builds The cleric's call comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi tries to form a government amid political divisions and US demands to curb the influence of Iran-backed actors. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response US strikes and renewed exchanges in Hormuz cast doubt on the ceasefire as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to a new proposal. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence. Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Is Tunisia prepared for return of thousands of Islamic State fighters? Thousands of Islamic State fighters are expected to return to Tunisia, where the authorities are uncertain how to deal with the risk they may pose. Iraq
The myth of a tripartite Iraq Although it is often claimed that a federal state with an autonomous region for Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds would stabilize Iraq, this proposition has little bearing to the realities on the ground. Iraq
US election 2016: Orlando shooting sparks furious attacks on campaign trail Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of June 13. Iraq
Centuries-old Kufa mosque still holds religious, political significance For the past 1,300 years, the Great Mosque of Kufa has served as a religious and political platform in Iraq, drawing the interest of both clerics and politicians. Iraq
Fallujah residents fear abuse from Popular Mobilization Units liberators As Iraqi forces retake Fallujah, reports and videos have surfaced of Iraq's mostly Shiite Popular Mobilization Units committing human rights violations and abusing citizens. Iraq
Will Iraq's wetlands join World Heritage List? In order to better protect them, the Iraqi government is pressing for the inclusion of Iraq's wetlands as well as the Ur, Eridu and Uruk archaeological sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Iraq
Tensions escalate between Iraqi protesters, security forces As an inseparable part of the Iraqi community suffers from unemployment, poverty and lack of services, the Iraqi young people taking part in the current anti-government protests are growing more and more frustrated with their government’s inaction, which may eventually leave them with violence as a last resort. Iraq
Will Iraqi-Kurdish conflict break out in Ninevah? Now that the Kurdish peshmerga forces have succeeded in ousting the Islamic State from crucial parts of Ninevah province, they're more determined than ever not to see the area slide back into the hands of the Iraqi forces. Iraq
Will Arab-American voters rally around Clinton? Arab-Americans tend to vote Democratic in presidential elections, but will the community coalesce around Hillary Clinton despite the attraction of Bernie Sanders’ views on the Middle East? Palestine
How this Yazidi man is saving IS captives Yazidi families in Iraq are paying thousands of dollars to smugglers who rescue their members from the Islamic State’s grip. Iraq
Is Lebanon abandoning sectarian politics? The results of municipal elections in Lebanon and the persistence of protesters against government corruption in Iraq may point to a shift in the two countries' traditional sectarian-based politics. Iraq
Iraqi authorities work to identify bodies in mass graves As Iraq works to identify bodies found in the many mass graves spread across the country, its people are reminded of the successive bloody battles Iraq has gone through and continues to fight. Iraq