Will Riyadh-Tehran rivalry kill Iraqi Kurdistan's investment drive?

A visit to Erbil by a Saudi trade delegation in late July has the potential to bear fruit in advancing economic cooperation and investment in the region, helping ease its current financial crisis, but the Saudis' move has raised eyebrows in Tehran.

Saudi Arabia

As protests rock southern Iraq, Basra calls for autonomy

Amid the ongoing protests in Iraq's southern province of Basra, an old demand for autonomy has re-emerged.

Iraq

Dismissal of electricity minister fails to quell protests in Iraq

After a month of protests in Iraq over the lack of electricity and other public services, the Iraqi prime minister dismissed the minister of electricity, without any clear vision for a solution to the crisis.

Saudi Arabia

Will Iraq's Sunni provinces join in on protest movement?

While the southern part of Iraq is witnessing a major protest movement, people in Sunni areas in the west and north — despite expressing support for the demonstrations — have fears about going out into the streets.

Iraq

Iranian Sunni leader makes appeal to Iraq's top Shiite cleric

Iran’s prominent Sunni leader, Molavi Abdul Hamid, sent a letter to Iraqi Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani requesting that he act as a mediator between Iran's Sunni community and the government.

Iraq

Explosions at arms depot dent peshmerga's confidence in leadership

Recent explosions at several weapons and ammunition depots have deepened mistrust between rank-and-file peshmerga forces and their leadership in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Iraq

Terrorist attack on Erbil government building raises concern in Iraqi Kurdistan

An attack on an Erbil government building highlights homegrown terror networks and reveals dangerous security fissures in Iraq's Kurdistan Region.

Iraq

Iraq's Salahuddin province launches war on alcohol

The ban on alcohol shops in Salahuddin, which was recently liberated from IS control, shows the growing influence of clerics and tribal leaders.

Iraq

Iraqi refugees in Egypt denounce lack of protection, services

Iraqi refugees in Egypt face challenges relating to security and access to basic services, with migrant funding often earmarked for other groups.

Egypt

Pentagon shifts equipment from Iraq to Syria

The Pentagon is removing mine rollers and armored carriers from Iraq as it draws down its presence in the country.

Iraq

Renewal of anti-terror law threatens human rights in Iraqi Kurdistan

The Iraqi Kurdistan parliament has extended an austere law put in place to combat the Islamic State, raising serious concerns about human rights abuses and trials behind closed doors.

Iraq

Abadi, Maliki seek alliance with Iraq's Kurds

Nearly two months since Iraq's parliamentary election, the winning parties are still discussing an alliance to form the new government.

Iraq