ISIS leader al-Baghdadi proves formidable enemy

Contrary to his predecessors, Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has proven to be more pragmatic and devious.

Iraq

Iraqi vendors diversify supplies in response to Syria, Anbar conflicts

Military operations launched in the Anbar province, located along the Syrian border, have disrupted the import of goods from Syria, leading Iraqi vendors to turn to other states to import goods.

Iraq

Statements on forming new Iraqi provinces cause uproar

Iraq’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Torhan al-Mufti caused an uproar when he made statements that the government had decided to transform two Turkmen-majority districts into provinces, yet the actual governmental decisions left the matter open.

Iraq

Al-Qaeda now frontline threat to Israel

With gains in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, al-Qaeda and its affiliates threaten Israel more than ever.

Iraq

Are UN Security Council anti-al-Qaeda terror statutes properly enforced?

The UN Security Council has established a regime for a travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo against the al-Qaeda network since 1999, but new circumstances bring about serious doubts if such a regime is still functioning.

Yemen

Iraqi liberals losing ground to Islamists

Although liberal and civil Iraqi figures have formed a new alliance to compete in upcoming parliamentary elections, they seemed to have garnered little popular support amid an increasingly sectarian atmosphere.

Iraq

Baghdad, Erbil continue their struggle for authority

Disagreements between the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government in Baghdad will persist until the two sides reach agreement on interpretation of the constitution.

Iraq

Iraqis divided over new national anthem

Although Saddam Hussein’s regime fell more than a decade ago, Iraqi political disputes have prevented the country from adopting a new national anthem.

Iraq

Iraqi 'Ninth Studio' avoids TV's sectarian divide

Although Iraqi media outlets gained some freedoms post-2003, in the past 10 years much of the country’s media has been highly sectarian, but a few outlets are challenging that stereotype.

Iraq

Iraq’s imagined conflicts

Although Iraqi political forces disagree about many common issues, there are also ideological divides based on exaggerated religious disputes.

Iraq

Russia's Kurdish dilemma

Russia seeks to place its Kurdish policies in the broader context of a changing Middle East.

Iraq

Iraqi army declares its control of Khalidiya

The Iraqi army declared that it has gained control of the Jazira area of Khalidiya, but maintaining that control will be a challenge.

Iraq