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
Thousands of civilians at risk in Mosul crossfire Civilian casualties are mounting during the Mosul operation, as thousands of people are stuck on the battlefield. Iraq
How IS is trying to thwart progress in Mosul operation Islamic State militants are trying to find security breaches in various areas to distract the Iraqi forces from the operation to liberate Mosul and thus slow down their advance. Iraq
Why Turkey's hostile stance doesn't worry PYD leader PYD leader Salih Muslim told Al-Monitor they are not worried about Ankara's hostile stance toward the PYD and YPG, and ruled out Turkish military action targeting al-Bab in Syria. Iraq
Will Mosul remain under military rule after liberation from IS? Iraqi politicians have proposed appointing a military governor for Mosul after its liberation to prevent the city from falling back into the hands of terrorists. Iraq
Is it time for a national settlement in Iraq? The predominantly Shiite National Alliance that constitutes the majority of the Iraqi parliament released a document for national reconciliation for the post-Islamic State phase, though it is far from being implemented on the ground. Iraq
Iraqi National Alliance seeks Maliki-Sadr reconciliation The predominately Shiite National Alliance with Iranian support is trying to reconcile between Vice President Nouri al-Maliki and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Iraq
Black smoke, suspicion hang heavy over Iraq's Qayyarah More than two months after the liberation of Qayyarah from the Islamic State, the oil wells the militants set ablaze continue to blacken the town with toxic smoke. Iraq
Saudi Arabia losing ground to Iran Saudi influence in the region has been on the decline for a number of reasons, and the kingdom has now suffered another setback in Lebanon with the election of President Michel Aoun, an ally of Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi journalists join hands under National Media Alliance To provide better coverage of the Mosul operation and fight the Islamic State propaganda, several Iraqi media outlets have joined a media alliance. Iraq
Kirkuk officials deny displacing Arabs in anti-IS operation Kirkuk province officials have denied a UN report that internally displaced Sunni Iraqis in the city of Kirkuk have been expelled after the recent attack by the Islamic State, though the governor warns, "They cannot stay here forever." Iraq
Abadi says 'we are ready' if Turkey wants war As Turkey's behavior grows more erratic and aggressive by the day, the United States is scrambling to head off a dust-up among its anti-Islamic State coalition partners. Iraq
What's really behind Iraq's new alcohol ban? The Iraqi parliament's ban on the production, import and sale of alcoholic beverages of all kinds has raised a broad protest among religious minorities, individuals and civil societies. Iraq