Turkey to repatriate its ISIS fighters from Iraq as jihadis escalate Syria attacks Ankara will repatriate its nationals from among thousands of fighters transferred from Syria, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said. Turkey
Here is what to know about Kuwait-Iraq maritime dispute Arab Gulf countries expressed support for Kuwait’s sovereignty after Iraq sent a revised map of its maritime borders that reignited a decades-old dispute over sea boundaries between the two neighbors. Kuwait
US envoy Barrack oversees Chevron deal in Iraq amid Iran influence row The Trump administration is maintaining pressure on Iraq over the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the influence of Iran-backed militias in the country. Iraq
US court overturns Trump global tariffs: What it means for MENA Trump's defining economic policy of his second term has been dealt a key blow, upending a tariff regime that set levies in the Middle East as high as 41% for Syria even as most regional countries were insulated from the fallout. Syria
Analysis Despite warnings from Israel's defense elite, Netanyahu pushes for Iran strike By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Can Maliki overcome Trump opposition to reclaim Iraq’s PM post? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Exclusive 100 non-Syrian Kurds return to PKK’s Qandil stronghold under SDF-Damascus deal By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iraqi Parliament approves controversial amnesty law After numerous delays, the Iraqi parliament approved an amnesty law that addresses Sunni and Shiite grievances stemming from post-2003 prosecutions. Iraq
Baghdad considers security overhaul After years of various security plans failed to halt terrorist attacks in the Iraqi capital, the Interior Ministry's latest proposal is now under evaluation. Iraq
Where does tribal influence fit in Iraqi politics? Even high-level Iraqi politicians are turning to their tribes for support in resolving political disputes, a traditional resource that finds itself at odds with democratic state-building. Iraq
Sunni fear grows as PMU participation in Mosul battle confirmed Iraqi government approved officially the participation of the Popular Mobilization Units in the Mosul battle, which is supported by the United States and Iran; however, Sunni parties are afraid of this decision. Iraq
Iraq mulls post-IS role for PMU The Iraqi government is moving to place the Popular Mobilization Units under the control of the prime minister, though some insist that the sectarian force must be dissolved after the Islamic State is defeated. Iraq
Iraqi militias aspire to be like Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units consider themselves as an "alternative" state institution, like the IRGC; Russia-Turkey "reset" stumbles on Syria; United States and Russia need to conclude agreement on Syria. Iraq
What's behind meeting between Italian ambassador, prominent leader of Iraq's PMU? The Italian ambassador to Baghdad official meets with the secretary-general of the League of the Righteous movement, Qais al-Khazali, which reads as clear support for Shiite militias in Iraq. Iraq
Iraq sinks further into debt Despite nominal moves to diversify its sources of revenue, the Iraqi government's dependence on falling oil prices and the cost of its war against the Islamic State mean the Iraqi economy is drowning in debt. Iraq
What does de-Baathification mean for Iraq's Kurds? Given the Baath regime crimes against the Kurds, the Kurdish street is angered at the several scandals, including that the KRG did not react to the law to ban the Baath Party. Iraq
Kurds concerned about Baghdad's increasing military prowess Kurdish officials have been raising their concerns about a possible Shiite threat after IS is completely annihilated in their areas, as Baghdad, which backs those Shiite forces participating in the battle against IS, has been receiving advanced weapons from the United States. Iraq
Will Iraq's Shiite militias flow to Syria after post-IS? Expelling IS from Iraq will lead Iraqi Shiite militants to volunteer to fight in Syria, as the Syrian conflict continues to attract Sunni and Shiite fighters from around the world. Iraq
What are Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units doing in Beirut? A leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) talks to Al-Monitor about talks held in Beirut Aug. 8-11, behind the scenes and away from the media spotlights, between a Western diplomatic delegation and 12 people representing the leadership of the PMU. Iraq
