Analysis US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM Trump signals hope for a "tremendous new chapter” in US-Iraq ties with the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister. By Week in Review
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
Corruption, deceit plague private education in Iraq As Iraq's education system continues to decline, the government is working to stop private universities from operating without accreditation. Iraq
Anger in Ankara over Iraqi Kurdish independence moves Given its close ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government, which it needs for economic, political and security interests, Turkey’s objections to Iraqi Kurdish plans remain low key, but a crisis between the sides may nevertheless be looming. Iraq
Why Iran-Iraq War is still minefield for artists Some 30 years on, depictions of the Iran-Iraq War are still a minefield for Iranian artists and authors. Iraq
What's behind Kurdish organizations being shut down in Syria? The democratic self-rule administration in northern Syria closed the offices of dozens of unlicensed organizations in a move deemed to have political motivations. Iraq
While thousands flee west Mosul, some Iraqi families vow to hang on Despite the dangerous situation in Mosul, many residents are choosing to stay in their homes as the fighting to retake the rest of the city continues. Iraq
Kurdish flag fans controversy in Iraq's Kirkuk Raising the Kurdistan flag atop the governmental buildings in Kirkuk sparked tension in the province and in Baghdad. Iraq
How will Abadi handle Iraq’s Shiite militias? Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi faces a great challenge in dealing with the predominately Shiite Popular Mobilization Units fighting in Iraq, as some of its factions are refusing to be integrated into the army and other security forces. Iraq
One man's quest to save the Jewish Iraqi language Oded Amit, who was born in Baghdad and eventually fled to Israel, has taken it upon himself to teach Israelis of Iraqi immigrants the language of their ancestors in order to preserve it. Iraq
Will US keep military bases in Iraq after IS? The Iraqi prime minister's recent visit to the United States indicates both parties are interested in maintaining a US presence in Iraq after the Islamic State is forced out. However, Iran-backed militias strongly oppose the idea. Iraq
Calls for support as destroyed Mosul Museum seeks to rebuild Not much is left of the Mosul Museum, Iraq's second most important museum, after Islamic State militants stole what they could carry and smashed and set the rest on fire. Iraq
What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq? Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq. Iraq
Why aren't Mosul residents returning to liberated areas? The residents of Mosul, especially the middle class, are leaving the city in large-scale numbers and have no hope of returning. Iraq