Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him. Iraq
Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him. Iraq
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
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
US sanctions on a Christian militiaman reignite conflict among Iraqi Christians As the United States imposes sanctions on a Christian militiaman, conflict among Iraqi Christians flares up. Iraq
More victims of Saddam's purge found, Kurds seek justice The recent discovery of additional mass graves of Iraqi Kurds is prompting renewed calls for collaborators with the former Iraqi regime to be prosecuted. Iraq
Basra church restored, but few Christians left to worship there Basra's Virgin Mary Chaldean Church has reopened after a $228,000 renovation, but the Christians still in the city are dwindling. Iraq
Iraq’s ever-increasing enforced disappearances The number of forcibly disappeared persons in Iraq remains significant, amid no serious measures from the Iraqi government to address the issue. Iraq
Division threatens Islamic Dawa after Maliki’s reelection The Islamic Dawa Party could on the verge of division after the reelection of Nouri al Maliki as its secretary-general; however, many party leaders see the party as continuing to be a strong and unified one. Iraq
Tinderbox: Israeli military attacks in Iraq could complicate US strategy in Middle East Washington may need to draw some red lines to protect its larger regional interests. Iraq
Is positive sentiment toward Israel on the rise in Iraq? After an Iraqi ambassador made seemingly friendly comments about Israel, Iraqi politicians have made it known that Iraq will not stand for normalization. Iraq
Shiite military factions have long way to integrate into state forces Despite Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's decree about the Popular Mobilization Units, they have a long way to go to integrate into state forces. Iraq
Iraq achieves self-sufficiency in strategic crops Despite the floods and fires, Iraq has achieved self sufficiency in producing crops this year. Iraq
PA mulls over importing fuel from Iraq The Palestinian Authority weighs its options to import fuel from Iraq through Jordan as a step toward economic disengagement from Israel, but will the Paris Protocol allow it to do so? Palestine
New Yazidi prince appointed in Iraq amid sharp divisions A new Yazidi prince has been appointed in Iraq amid sharp division in the community that recently survived genocide. Iraq
Iraqi spy chief discusses IS and intel cooperation Al-Monitor was granted an exclusive interview with the head of Iraq’s secretive counterterrorism intelligence unit, Abu Ali al-Basri. The Falcon Intelligence Cell director discussed what remains of the Islamic State, potential future risks and how the unit shares information with other countries. Iraq
