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
Iraqi comedian gets political By mocking outdated customs or mimicking politicians in Iraq, Ahmad Wahid is entering uncharted territories with his stand-up comedy. Iraq
Trump budget slashes Middle East aid The State Department is seeking deep cuts to military and economic assistance for Arab states. Bahrain
Can US-Sunni alliance lure Baghdad away from Tehran? With US support, Sunni Arab countries in the Gulf hope to bring Iraq into their fold and away from Iran's powerful grasp. Saudi Arabia
Can Iraqi politicians appease Sadr as he flexes his influence? Iraqi leaders seek to convince parliamentarian Muqtada al-Sadr to keep the calm and support the political process. Iraq
What’s behind Damascus’ claim of 'invasion from Jordan'? The Russian media has been closely following Damascus’ claims on military movement on the Jordanian-Syrian border, looking at the goals behind certain claims and how they may impact a political settlement. Iraq
Iraq's Christians demand reconstruction of religious sites Iraqi Christians demand the reconstruction of the Mar Mattai and Mar Behnam monasteries in the Ninevah Plains. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan rife with unlicensed guns, gun violence Though the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq is slowly waning, gun violence still riddles Iraq's Kurdistan Region where firearms are readily available and licensing is easily bypassed. Iraq
Morocco cracks down on fighters returning from IS The Moroccan authorities are deploying all efforts to curb the phenomenon of former Islamic State fighters returning to their home country by arresting them. Iraq
Following controversial video leak, Iraq minorities seek to address hate speech Following a religious lecture by the head of the Shiite Endowment on the provisions of jihad against non-Muslims, Iraqi minorities called for the government to take decisive action against hate speech in the country. Iraq
Why southern Syria remains Jordan’s biggest security threat Amman and Washington's concern about an Iranian land corridor from Tehran to Beirut through Iraq and Syria has raised questions about steps Jordan might take along its border with southern Syria, into which extremists are expanding. Iraq
Iraqi activists, journalists terrorized by armed groups The kidnapping of a number of activists and journalists in Baghdad has members of Iraq's civil society worrying about their livelihood. Iraq
Iraqi factions divided over whether US troops stay Despite strong opposition from influential Shiite factions ready to engage in military clashes with US forces, the Iraqi government wants an agreement with the United States to ensure that US troops remain in Iraq after the elimination of the Islamic State. Iraq