Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies President Donald Trump emphasized Iraq’s “tremendous oil reserves” and possible deals with US companies. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran strikes tankers, US bases as Gulf conflict escalates Lebanon, Israel hold talks in Rome; Iraqi PM Zaidi to meet Trump; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow Iraq's new prime minister is in Washington promising business deals and closer ties with the United States, but convincing the Trump administration he can rein in Iran-backed militias may prove his toughest challenge. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatar says no direct Iran-US talks in Doha By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Maliki Launches Counterattack Against Opponents Iraq’s top court overturned a law that would have prevented standing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki from running for a third term of office. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan’s Election Campaigns in Full Swing Unlike the electoral campaigns of the Iraqi local elections in April, the electoral campaigns now underway in Iraqi Kurdistan seem more organized and democratic. Iraq
Japan’s Lesson of Tolerance for Iraq The Japanese government has opened a maternity and children’s hospital in Fallujah in honor of a Japanese journalist who died in the city, which should serve as a lesson of tolerance and reconciliation for Iraq. Iraq
Iraq Must Accommodate Foreign Workers to Boost Investments In a sign of bureaucratic inefficiency, Iraq admits that it has not been properly accommodating foreign workers coming into the country working for oil companies. Iraq
'Baghdad Belt' Deals With New Sectarian Tensions Once a paradigm of multi-sectarian coexistence, the towns in the area circling the Iraqi capital known as the "Baghdad belt" have been some of the first victims of increased security measures and sectarian incitement in a turbulent Iraq. Iraq
Iran Divides Iraqi Politicians Iran’s long-standing and deep involvement in Iraqi politics has recently witnessed a backlash. Iraq
Sadr Reconsiders Political Role, Mahdi Army Tensions have boiled over between the Mahdi Army and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq near Baghdad, as the Sadrist movement re-evaluates its military wing and vies for greater political sway. Iraq
Kurdish Jihadists Fight Kurds in Syria Some young Iraqi Kurdish men are being lured by al-Qaeda's call for jihad in Syria, even if it puts them into combat with their Kurdish brethren. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Elections Could Be Turning Point The legislative elections on Sept. 21 could bring new political alliances to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Iraq
Iraq to Reinstate Sahwa Forces The Iraqi government is trying to revive the Awakening Movement — the Sahwa forces — among Sunni tribes to combat the rise in terrorism. Iraq
Iraqi Dinar Exchange Rate Linked To Oil Exports, Federal Reserves Experts estimate that Iraq’s federal reserves have reached $80 billion, and are likely to grow given an expected increase in oil output. Iraq
Reports of Syria Chemical Attack Split Iraqis The alleged chemical attack in Syria has revealed a sectarian rift in Iraq, with some Sunnis accusing Syria’s Alawite regime, while some Shiites blame the massacre on the opposition. Iraq