Does Erdogan expect Trump to ditch Syrian Kurds?

US and Turkish presidents talk, agree to meeting in Washington; Saudi-Iraqi ties hit Iranian ceiling; Turkey sees al-Bab as safe haven for displaced Syrians.

Saudi Arabia

Chemical attacks and narrow streets complicate fight for Mosul’s Old City

The fight against the Islamic State in western Mosul has reached the level of door-to-door fighting, with many challenges and dangers regarding the safety of civilians and the use of chemical weapons by IS.

Iraq

Why is Khulafa Mosque's minaret on verge of collapse?

The minaret of the historic Khulafa Mosque in Baghdad is on the verge of collapse, which may spark sectarian tension in the city.

Iraq

Can Iran stop Iraqi Kurdistan independence?

Iraqi Kurdish political forces have recently increased their calls for a referendum on Kurdish independence, but Iran may try to prevent this from happening.

Iraq

Are secularists, Islamists headed for confrontation in Iraq?

Following an attack against the Communist Party in southern Iraq, tensions escalated between Islamist forces and civil and secular parties.

Iraq

Ankara not backing down from Iraq intervention

A week after announcing an end to operations in Syria, Turkey announced that it plans to launch a military operation in Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Sinjar, a move guaranteed to outrage the Baghdad government.

Near East

How Iran's military strategy against IS may backfire

While Iran’s security services have managed to thwart Islamic State attacks on the domestic front, Salafi jihadi ideology appears to be spreading in the country’s Sunni regions.

Iraq

Assad’s departure still non-starter for Putin

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comment on "orderly" transition could offer a face-saving spark for Syria political talks; Hezbollah’s No. 2 disavows "ambitions" in Syria; did Iran benefit from US missile strike? Sistani seeks restraints on Iraqi armed groups looking to fight in Syria.

Iraq

Shiite militias prepare for education 'revolution' in Iraq

Shiite militias within Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) are attempting to establish separate PMU universities, which some see as an attempt to bring Iranian influence to Iraq.

Iraq

So many Iraqi airports, so few planes

Iraq doesn't need more airports, but that's not stopping local governments from trying to build them.

Iraq

Is Saudi Arabia really willing to normalize ties with Iraq?

Despite some progress in Saudi-Iraqi ties, further improvement is hindered by Iranian influence in Iraq and Baghdad's inability to control Shiite militias.

Legacy: Gulf

Iraqis demand action as popular archaeological site neglected

To celebrate spring, many Iraqis travel to the ziggurat of Dur-Kurigalzu, an ancient city, but they are noticing that the famous archaeological site is falling into ruin as the government is not making any effort to protect it.

Iraq