Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
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
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
Is Iran seeking to impose its influence in Iraq's liberated Sunni areas? The opening of a school in Ninevah province under the name of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, stirred a wide debate within political and public circles in Iraq, as some saw the move as an attempt to provoke some Iraqis. Iraq
Kirkuk teetering on brink of war The planned Kurdish referendum has divided the main ruling Kurdish party in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, raising tension in the city and threatening to undermine the delicate and fragile cohesion that exists in the multi-ethnic city. Iraq
Sectarianism in Iraq peaks ahead of Kurdistan referendum With the Kurdistan independence referendum just days away, politicians and the general public are fanning sectarian tension on both sides of the vote. Iraq
Court backs Baghdad by stalling Kurdish referendum The Baghdad government has several legal, economic and military options to prevent the Kurdistan region from conducting an independence referendum that is opposed by most regional and global powers. Iraq
How Israel's support is swaying Kurdish sentiment ahead of referendum Turkey’s Kurds may have divergent views on Israeli backing for the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, but their support for the independence bid remains robust. Iraq
International artists explore fragmented Middle East in Istanbul The 2017 Istanbul Biennial asks what makes a good neighbor in a world plagued by war, repression and division. Iraq
Turkish military sends anti-referendum message with exercises across border Ankara is trying to tell its neighbors something with its massive military exercise across the border from Iraqi Kurdistan as the Kurdish Regional Government's independence referendum nears. Iraq
Turkish FM says KRG referendum 'big mistake' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks about the upcoming independence vote in Iraqi Kurdistan, Turkish-EU relations and expanding cooperation with Russia. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan's young sportsmen put on gloves Fighters from all over Iraq and Lebanon compete in the first mixed martial arts tournament in Erbil. Iraq
Congress fuels Christian rivalries with bid to arm Iraqi militias A House effort to arm Iraqi Christian militias risks making an already tense standoff in the Ninevah Plains even worse. Iraq
Iraqi farmers fight against imported goods, corruption The Iraqi market is flooded with foreign agricultural and food products, which affects local farmers and food producers. Iraq
Sectarian forces fight for influence in Iraq's Diyala province After being liberated from the Islamic State, the Diyala province is suffering from increased ethnic, sectarian and political conflicts that could turn into armed clashes at any moment. Iraq
