Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm. Iraq
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
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
Iraqis split over US military decision to stay in Iraq Iraqi Shiite politicians and armed groups close to the parties in power disagree over the international coalition’s announcement that it will keep its forces in the country. Iraq
NATO training mission faces challenges in Iraq NATO training mission is expanding in Iraq, but the mission could empower Iranian-backed elements in the Iraqi state. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds throw lifeline to Iranian Kurds as sanctions begin to bite Iraqi Kurds, who remember the help they received from Iranian Kurds in the past, want to return the favor now that their brethren are suffering under US sanctions. Iraq
IS targets rural area near Baghdad Tarmiya, a rural area near Baghdad, is in the sights of the Islamic State; sleeper cells there are spreading through the Mashhadani tribe. Iraq
Kurds put conditions for allying with Shiites to form government Shiite parties seek to gain favor with the Kurdish parties to include them in the majority charged with forming the new government, while the Kurds consider this a historical opportunity to impose their conditions on those wishing to ally with them. Iraq
US sanctions cause big losses for Iraqi investors in Iran As the United States reactivates sanctions against Tehran, Iraqi investors in Iran are taking major economic hits and some businesses are being forced to close. Iraq
Will Iraqi Shiite militias withdraw from Sunni areas? Some factions of the Popular Mobilization Units have started to withdraw from Sunni areas, which they helped to liberate, in a step aimed at avoiding sectarian conflicts. Iraq
Ankara to continue targeted killings of PKK leaders abroad Turkey is encouraged by the success of its surgical airstrike in Iraq that killed outlawed Kurdish leader Ismail Ozden. Iraq
Plans to replace Catholic school with mall appalls Iraqis Al-Aqeeda, a Catholic girls high school built in 1921, is at the center of a controversy highlighting preserving Iraq's cultural heritage. Iraq
Iran-Iraq War continues to claim lives 30 years on The eight-year war between Iraq and Iran ended on Aug. 20, 1988, but its negative impacts linger on both sides. Iraq
Basra protests spark government scramble to create jobs The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved a regulation requiring that 50% of foreign oil company employees working in the country be Iraqis. Iraq
Not everyone in Iraq welcomes peshmerga's possible return to Kirkuk As Iraq's central and Kurdish governments tentatively make nice again, the potential return of the Kurdish peshmerga to Kirkuk has some groups in the country on edge. Iraq