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
Will new Iraqi government resolve Baghdad-KRG issues? The peaceful formation of a new government in Iraq has raised hopes that the outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil might be resolved, but a number of obstacles stand in the way of it actually happening despite amicable relations among the countries leaders. Iraq
Why Iraqi Turkmens are excluded from the new government Iraqi Turkmens say they have been excluded from the new Iraqi government because they refuse to follow a sectarian approach to politics. Iraq
Iraqi border city eyes IS advance amid dust storms Iraqi security forces on Iraq's border with Syria have been placed on a higher level of alert amid an Islamic State advance on the Syrian side of the border. Iraq
Kurdish film festival screens, then withdraws, Israeli movie Israeli filmmakers were surprised to learn that their film had been selected to be shown at the Duhok International Film Festival, only to be notified later that it was removed from the competition after being screened. Iraq
Iraqi prime minister faces pressure in forming his Cabinet Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi faces many obstacles from the parliamentary blocs in appointing his new Cabinet members. Iraq
To what extent can US aid help Iraq’s minorities? US financial aid to Iraqi religious minorities in the Ninevah Plains brings them hope and raises their expectations about the future of their homeland in northern Iraq. Iraq
Iraqi court suspends Abadi's act to pull Fayadh from posts A court ruling puts Faleh al-Fayadh back at the helm of Iraq's National Security Council and the Popular Mobilization Units, at least for now. Iraq
Russia eyes opportunities with new Iraqi decision-makers As Iraq welcomes its new parliament members and office-holders, Moscow looks to beef up bilateral cooperation in different areas with Baghdad. Iraq
Trump policies fire up evangelicals but divide Middle East Christians The US president is highlighting Middle East policies championed by American Christians as he seeks to energize his evangelical base ahead of next month’s elections. Egypt
Iraqi Kurdistan opposition parties reject election results Four main opposition groups allege fraud in Iraqi Kurdistan’s parliamentary elections and threaten to boycott the next legislative session. Iraq
Iraqi army, non-local PMUs at cross-purposes in western Anbar Non-local Popular Mobilization Units seem to be quietly gaining influence on Iraq’s border with Syria against a backdrop of attacks on local facilities now under the control of the Iraqi army. Iraq
