Explainer What Iraq’s US troop withdrawal means for security after Kirkuk killings As Iraq assumes full responsibility for its security following the coalition’s withdrawal, a disputed counterterrorism operation in Kirkuk is raising questions about accountability, public trust and lingering security gaps. Iraq
Analysis After US exit, Iran gains space in Iraq and a harder balancing act For Iran, the easier part may have been getting Washington out, but it may now have to struggle turning the absence into durable influence and reviving its allied militias without provoking instability. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Trump’s integration policies build on Gulf, Turkey ties and Syria success Iran’s influence, and the potential for renewed conflict, complicate progress in Iraq. Iraq
Newsletter: Security What the US withdrawal means for Iraq The US withdrawal from Iraq shifts responsibility for the country’s security to Baghdad as Iran-backed militias remain outside the government’s full control. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Can Turkey’s Bashiqa withdrawal pave the way for deeper Iraq ties? By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis How militias in Anbar could complicate Iraq’s energy ambitions By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Xi, Trump set to talk Iran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Young Iraqis re-encounter their Jewish compatriots After seven decades of alienation, Iraqi Jews use culture to build bridges with their non-Jewish countrymen and vice versa. Iraq
IS targets truffle hunters across Sunni regions Many civilians and local security forces have been kidnapped or killed in recent weeks while looking for white truffles, mostly in desert and mountainous areas of Sunni-dominant provinces. Iraq
Iraq-Jordan trade deal opens new doors for regional trade A breakthrough trade agreement may signal new trend toward integration; Erdogan plays Syria card in Turkish elections; HTS undermines Turkish-backed groups in Idlib. Iraq
Iraq’s two leading parliamentary movements amp up coordination The Fatah and Sairoon movements have stepped up their efforts to see that the Cabinet is completed and for the government to properly face the issues ahead. Iraq
Iraq's ancient city of Ur: source of law, site of wonder Tourists are slowly beginning to return to the ancient Sumerian city of Ur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, raising hopes among some locals. Iraq
Iran questions Iraq's promise to import oil despite sanctions In a surprising statement, Iran's oil minister recently complained that Iraq is abiding by the US sanctions and canceling some energy deals with Iran. Iraq
PMU whittles membership as Iraqi government absorbs militia Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are forcing factions out and closing their operations as part of the integration process into Iraq's official security forces. Iraq
Baghdad defends advantages of Iraq-Jordan agreement from critics Iraq's recent agreement to exchange Iraqi discounted oil with imported goods from Jordan free of customs fees has stirred the outrage of Iraqis. Iraq
Iraq bulks up border presence as IS escapees try to enter Iraqi forces have sent reinforcements to the border area and are engaging in nightly artillery strikes on IS positions in eastern Syria ahead of an expected US pullout in the near future. Iraq
Yazidis divided over selection of new leader After the death of the spiritual leader of the Yazidi sect in Iraq and the world, differences come up over the selection of his successor. Iraq
Murder of Iraqi novelist stirs fear, outrage A popular Iraqi writer was killed by unknown gunmen, stoking already rampant fears of violence among educated Iraqis. Iraq
New generation of Iraqi archaeologists follows in mentor's footsteps Iraq's young archaeologists are remembering their inspiration and frequent mentor Lamia Gailani, who worked hard to restore her country's lost heritage and encourage new scientists to explore the field. Iraq