Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran dismisses Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ threat Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq; Turkey denies military presence at Syrian base hit by Israel; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Interview Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor. Masrour Barzani KRG Prime Minister
Exclusive Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran Riyadh is pressing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to act against the groups behind attacks on the kingdom as Baghdad struggles to balance ties with Tehran and Washington. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Explainer Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing As Iran's parliament speaker holds talks in Baghdad, Iraq has asked Tehran for special consideration for its oil exports. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria blames Israel for strikes on military airport in Idlib By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Artists persevere in Iraq despite death threats Iraqi artists of all stripes face pressures from religious extremists but they refuse to be cowed and continue holding cultural events. Iraq
Is Lebanon caught in the crossfire of the current US-Iranian standoff? With Iranian-backed Hezbollah playing a role in Lebanon's government, how much might the country suffer in case of a military confrontation between Washington and Tehran? Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Cabinet finally sees daylight after 9 months The new prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government has a Cabinet now, with all but one ministerial position filled. Iraq
Is Iran’s influence in Iraq waning? Iran is formalizing its relationship with Baghdad as a strategic step in lessening the negative economic effects of US sanctions, but the pro-Iran PMU integrating into Iraqi armed forces leave some Iraqi leaders uneasy. Iraq
Iran grants additional visas to Iraqis to boost its economy In order to overcome US sanctions and boost its economy, Iran is increasing tourist visas to Iraqis. Iraq
Can Iraq get its water wheels on UNESCO World Heritage List? Local academics believe that water wheels, used all around the world, were discovered on the banks of the Euphrates River in Anbar province and should be on the World Heritage List. Iraq
Iraq seeks to issue identification papers for IS children Many children born under Islamic State rule in Iraq do not have Iraqi citizenship, but the government is seeking to change that. Iraq
Shiite militias react angrily to decree integrating them into Iraqi forces Pro-Iran Shiite militias in Iraq reacted with displeasure to the prime minister's decree to integrate the Popular Mobilization Units into the Iraqi military forces, but the majority of the PMU are pledging allegiance to Baghdad. Iraq
Palestinian Authority woos Iraq, says Iran is no enemy Nabil Shaath, an adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, traveled to Iraq to galvanize Baghdad's support for the Palestinian cause and perhaps make new connections with Iran along the way. Bahrain
Iraq throws Turkey curveball in bilateral trade Baghdad’s recent restrictions on imported goods have badly bruised Turkey’s food exporters, calling into question the target of $20 billion in bilateral trade. Iraq
Will Iraq cut a deal to prosecute foreign IS fighters? Iraq is seeking to prosecute foreign Islamic State fighters held in Syria, even if they did not commit crimes in Iraq. Iraq
Iraq orders militias to fully integrate into state security forces In an important move amid US-Iran tensions, the Iraqi prime minister issued a decree ordering the Popular Mobilization Units to come under the full control of the state. Iraq