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
Activists in Iraq try new tack: Effect change by not voting Iraqi political parties are trying to mobilize voters as calls for an election boycott gain steam. Iraq
Culture Alert: Art speaks to power in February February exhibitions in the Middle East offer satirical and fantastic looks at politics and society, clearly demonstrating that the fighting spirit in the arts is far from being defeated by the powers that be. Egypt
Iraq takes custody of officials wanted in corruption probes Iraq is taking steps to recover funds and arrest those accused of corruption by coordinating actions with foreign countries and Interpol. Iraq
Iraqi journalists face attacks by politicians' bodyguards As attacks on journalists are on the rise in Iraq, part of the problem lies with politicians' bodyguards who are also assaulting journalists. Iraq
Baghdad objects to European plans to forcibly repatriate Iraqis Many European countries are trying to send Iraqi refugees whose asylum cases have been rejected back to Iraq, while Baghdad refuses to cooperate with the forcible return of its citizens. Iraq
New Iraqi Kurdish alliance emerges as most parties still divided As Iraq's parliamentary elections approach, the rise of a new tripartite Kurdish political alliance has highlighted the level of divide among the rest of the Kurdish parties hoping to contest the election. Iraq
Meet Iraq's plentiful parliamentary alliances Iraqi Shiite parties have formed four main coalitions for the upcoming parliamentary elections, but they are expected to join forces after the vote to take advantage of their collective clout. Iraq
Islamic State desert bases still headache for Iraq As Iraqi forces continue cleansing the western desert to keep the Syrian-Iraqi border region calm, Islamic State counterattacks in Syria are posing a new risk across the border. Iraq
Iraq's Islamists dump religion for upcoming elections Islamist parties in Iraq are shedding their religious platforms to focus on reform in the campaign for upcoming elections and are also allying with secular parties. Iraq
Anbar governor thanks PMUs, tells them to get out The new governor of Anbar province faces critical challenges regarding providing services to the recently liberated area from the Islamic State and dealing with the Shiite Popular Mobilization Units coming from outside the province. Iraq
Iraq backs off plans to double number of US-trained counterterrorism forces With all of Iraq now liberated from the Islamic State, the elite Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service is shifting its focus away from large-scale battles. Iraq
Rivals may team up to defeat Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has expressed his solidarity with Iraqi Kurdistan, indicating the possibility of an alliance with his former rival Massoud Barzani. Iraq