The new pulse of Gulf security

The Iran nuclear deal and the summit between US President Barack Obama and Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud could signal a turning point in Gulf security.

Saudi Arabia

Jordan’s ‘highway through hell’

Amid security concerns, Iraqi authorities decided in mid-July to close the only border crossing with Jordan, leaving the once-busy trucking route between the two countries deserted.

Iraq

Iraqis look to gemstones for psychological, physical treatment

Iraqis are increasingly buying precious stones, which they believe have therapeutic capacities, can give energy and strength, protect them from envy and fend off dangers.

Iraq

What's next for Abadi?

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's moderate path in implementing government reforms has kept the peace among the governing political parties.

Iraq

Iraq’s Bedouin forced to settle down

Although many Iraqi Bedouin tribes have had to give up their nomadic lifestyle and have settled, they do not have access to basic services such as health care and education due to the Iraqi government’s neglect.

Iraq

The Iraqi Kurds' waning love affair with Turkey

Relations between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Regional Government look likely to deteriorate as Turkey escalates its war against the Kurdistan Workers Party.

Iraq

Why Iraq needs a united Sunni authority to face extremism

Sunnis in Iraq ought to drop their differences and form a united institution, which would also be supported by Shiites, in order to confront religious extremism.

Iraq

Turkey’s protracted PKK problem

Although many Kurds do not like the leftist and secular agenda of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the PKK has shown great resilience, in part as the result of the fragmented Iraqi and Syrian states and political missteps by Turkey.

Iraq

Controversy continues over how to cut up Kirkuk

The Turkmen, the third national component of Iraq, are demanding arms to fight against the Islamic State, just like the Arabs and Kurds, but territorial squabbles are keeping the various groups at arm's length.

Iraq

Protesters in Iraq and Lebanon demand accountability

Demonstrations in Iraq and Lebanon may signal new round of "Arab Springs"; Will Saudi capture of Khobar towers mastermind affect US policy toward Iran?

Saudi Arabia

Yazidi students abandon Arabic script with eye toward Europe

Yazidi refugees in Turkey are struggling to restart their children’s education, and many are now learning the Latin alphabet with the hope of one day starting new lives in Europe.

Iraq

KRG parliament speaker: Barzani's term extension 'against the law'

Speaker of the Iraqi Kurdistan parliament Yousif Mohammed Sadiq, who is leading the opposition to the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s efforts to keep President Massoud Barzani in office, tells Al-Monitor that Barzani has lost his legitimacy.

Iraq