Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
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
Iraqi civil society groups seek to restock Mosul libraries Civil society organizations and cultural institutions are rushing to supply two libraries in Mosul with books, publications and periodicals. Iraq
Iraq accelerates work on its virtual national museum The Virtual Museum of Iraq, which has been a work in progress since 2005, aims to bring Iraqi heritage and archaeological artifacts online by the end of 2018. Iraq
New political alliance unites Iraqi religious and secular parties In a sudden development, the Sadrist movement led by Muqtada al-Sadr and the National Coalition led by Ayad Allawi announced the formation of a political alliance in the upcoming elections. Iraq
As Mosul battle nears end, Iraqi Christians wary of return Despite the liberation of the Ninevah Plains, very few Iraqi Christians have returned to their historical homeland, while the majority of them refuse to return due to security concerns. Iraq
Congress threatens to cut payments to Iraqi Kurds if they break with Baghdad The House defense bill makes continued peshmerga funding contingent on participation in a “unified Iraq.” Iraq
Mosul residents divided over 'burqa ban' First the Islamic State and now security restrictions on wearing the full face veil, or niqab, have women and others in Mosul reassessing their perceptions of the practice. Iraq
Iraq's Kurds question motives behind independence vote Opponents of the Iraq Kurdistan referendum on independence question the real agenda behind the Kurdistan Democratic Party's push for the vote. Iraq
Iraq outlines plans to rebuild country, inspire tolerance Iraqi officials say they are ready to reconstruct the country and heal the populace devastated by the Islamic State. Iraq
Iraq’s PM concludes tightrope regional tour Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's tour — which spanned Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait — aimed to maintain regional balances amid discussions on post-IS preparations and regional aid to Iraq. Saudi Arabia
Kurds reaching critical juncture in US partnership The United States and Kurds currently share a partnership of convenience in Syria, but Kurds are looking ahead warily to the role they might be asked to play as US policy evolves. Saudi Arabia
Islamic parties intimidate, fear atheists in Iraq Islamic parties in Iraq have intensified their rhetoric against atheists, with one prominent cleric calling for them to be confronted with an "iron fist." Iraq
Recapture of Iraq-Syria border point heralds new regional reality The move by the Iraqi and Syrian governments to link the forces under their command along their border is a new reality on the ground. Iraq