Iraq - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Iraq

October 11, 2026

Baghdad 5:58 am

23°C

Demonstrators ride through a street while waving Syrian flags

Analysis

Why Syria and Iraq are taking different approaches to armed groups

Shelly Kittleson

By Shelly Kittleson

In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics

A man walks past a closed foreign exchange office in Baghdad on October 7, 2026. Iraq's central bank devalued the dinar currency against the dollar on October 7, with the country facing a deepening crisis brought on by the Middle East war. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq devalues dinar 13% as Hormuz disruption hits oil revenue

The central bank said in a statement that it had revised the official exchange rate to 1,520 Iraqi dinars per dollar from around 1,320.

A member of the Iraqi security forces flashes the victory sign during a military parade

Explainer

What Iraq’s US troop withdrawal means for security after Kirkuk killings

As Iraq assumes full responsibility for its security following the coalition’s withdrawal, a disputed counterterrorism operation in Kirkuk is raising questions about accountability, public trust and lingering security gaps.

Members of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) paramilitary forces stand guard during an election rally for the "Asaib Ahl al-Haq" movement in the capital Baghdad, on October 7, 2021.

Analysis

After US exit, Iran gains space in Iraq and a harder balancing act

For Iran, the easier part may have been getting Washington out, but it may now have to struggle turning the absence into durable influence and reviving its allied militias without provoking instability.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Trump’s integration policies build on Gulf, Turkey ties and Syria success

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) on the sidelines of the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, on July 8, 2026.

Iraq announces Iran flights to resume: What to know

An Airbus A321 airliner arrives at the Mehrabad international airport during the delivery of the first batch of planes to the Iranian state airline Iran Air in the capital Tehran on Jan. 12, 2017.

Analysis

Can Turkey’s Bashiqa withdrawal pave the way for deeper Iraq ties?

Turkish soldiers conduct military exercises near the Habur crossing gate between Turkey and Iraq on Sept. 27, 2017 in the Silopi district, southeast Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

Turkey brandishes Incirlik card to threaten US

Turkish officials are hinting at denying US access to the Incirlik Air Base unless Washington halts its support for Syrian Kurds and begins to provide air support for Turkish troops in Syria.

Why is Baghdad removing checkpoints during security crisis?

While barriers and checkpoints deployed across Baghdad are being removed, a series of terrorist attacks occurring in the capital recently raises many concerns about the government's ability to prevent violence.

Why are Yazidis being uprooted again?

The Yazidis of Iraq who escaped Islamic State assaults and took refuge at a camp in Turkey have been told to pack up and move to other camps.

Is Iraqi Kurdistan heading toward civil war?

Iraqi Kurdistan is bracing itself for further political instability, economic hardship and armed conflict after the Islamic State has been defeated.

Why Jordan thinks Baathists belong in Iraqi reconciliation

Jordan is playing an important role as mediator in Iraq's national reconciliation efforts.

Is Iraq turning into a drug-producing country?

In a critical development, several plants for producing drugs have been found in Iraq’s cities.

International oil companies pull out of Kurdistan

Giant oil companies are withdrawing from oil and gas exploration in Iraqi Kurdistan due to the drop in oil prices and contractual problems with the regional government.

Why does Iraq want to bring back dismissed security forces?

The Iraqi parliament wants to implement a decision to repatriate Iraqi soldiers who abandoned their posts during the rise of the Islamic State in 2014, but some are worried about the motives behind the decision.

Iraqi women join battle against Islamic State

In response to the exploitation of women by the Islamic State as part of their "sexual jihad," women across Iraq are taking up arms in increasing numbers in the fight against the militant group.

Pressure mounts on PKK over Sinjar presence

The United States, Iraqi Kurdistan, Turkey and Iraq have all expressed their strong opposition to the presence of the Kurdistan Workers Party in northern Iraq's Sinjar.

KRG PM: Talk of Iraqi Kurdish independence red line for Iran, but not Turkey

In an extensive interview with Al-Monitor at his office in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani speaks about the battle for Mosul, relations with Baghdad and Ankara, and aspirations for independence.

Iraq's Muslims celebrate Christmas in solidarity with Christians

In a sign of solidarity, Iraqi Muslims celebrate Christmas in a bigger fashion than last year, while the migration of Iraqi Christians is still on the rise.