Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know Two other candidates have emerged as alternatives to Coordination Framework nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is openly opposed by the Trump administration. Iraq
How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy. Syria
IMF slashes Mideast outlook by nearly 3 points as Iran war hits economies The International Monetary Fund cut gross domestic product forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa, with the fallout from the conflict exposing stark divergences between the region’s energy exporters and importers. Iran
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia summon Iraqi diplomats over militia attacks: What to know The United States and Kuwait have likewise criticized Iraq over actions tied to Iran-backed armed groups in the country. Iraq
Exclusive 'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis How fast can Gulf energy production rebound after US-Iran ceasefire? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Can protesters produce a political movement for elections? Iraqi activists and leaders of protests are working to form a political movement to participate in parliamentary elections. Iraq
Coronavirus damages Iraqi economy with fall in tourism, oil prices COVID-19 has harmed both the private and public sectors of the Iraqi economy. Iraq
Iraqi female activists launch women's magazine in Ninevah Plains Woman of Ninevah, a magazine that aims to give voice to women in the region, was launched on March 8, on International Women's Day. Iraq
Iraqi protesters stand firm, say corruption worse than coronavirus Many Iraqi protesters have chosen to continue their demonstrations despite the rapid spread of the virus, saying the country's political crisis is more dangerous than the disease. Iraq
Coronavirus sickens Turkish-Iraqi trade Turkey's decision to close its only border crossing with Iraq amid a spike in coronavirus cases there will deal a great blow to the country's economy, costing some $1 billion monthly. Iraq
Have Iraqi religious centers contributed to the spread of coronavirus? With the increase in the number of coronavirus victims in Iraq, the role of religious centers in curbing the spread of COVID-19 has come under scrutiny. Saudi Arabia
Iraq's Falcon Intelligence Cell wants to root out corruption The head of the Falcon Intelligence Cell, Abu Ali al-Basri, spoke to Al-Monitor about the lingering Islamic State presence in the country and discussed his idea of setting up a similar team to fight corruption. Iraq
Mountain couriers brave bullets along Iran-Iraq border As the economic crisis deepens in Iran, more people are risking their lives to earn money by transporting goods through the mountains of the Kurdistan region on the Iraq-Iran border. Iraq
Power vacuum in Iraq leads to threats from pro-Iran faction Pro-Iran factions in Iraq worry that they could lose their political sway, having failed to keep one prime minister in power, then failing in their attempt to replace him, as they recognize the next candidate could be selected from outside their political circle with the support of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite rivals. Iraq
Iran rallies religious leaders to expel US forces from Iraq While US policy takes its toll on Iran, the regime is seeking to increase pressure on Washington to exit the region, and particularly Iraq, by consolidating anti-American sentiment. Iraq
Iraq faces more chaos as PM-designate fails to form government Iraq's prime minister-designate failed to form a government, meaning the country will most certainly witness more chaos. Iraq
Iraq's political scene fragmented as time runs out for prime minister designate An Al-Monitor interview of members of parliament helps explain why Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi's nomination to become prime minister of Iraq hit the shoals. Iraq
