Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM Trump signals hope for a "tremendous new chapter” in US-Iraq ties with the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister. By Week in Review
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
Iraq struggles to stop antiquities smuggling Iraq has managed to recover some smuggled antiquities, but illegal excavations and the theft of ancient artifacts continue. Iraq
Why Iraq's Yazidis are upset over new film depicting IS massacres Women who suffered at the hand of the Islamic State are now being subjected to further humiliation, in the opinion of the Yazidi community, which is protesting a film on the topic that they say is inaccurate and misleading. Iraq
Why did Iraq's Shiite National Alliance choose new leader? After longtime disagreements, the Shiite National Alliance elects Ammar al-Hakim, the head of the Islamic Supreme Council, as president of the alliance, to revive and reorganize it. Iraq
Who will replace sacked Iraqi defense minister? Following the dismissal of Iraq's Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi by the parliament, the Sunni blocs are competing over nominating his successor. Iraq
Turkey demands role in Mosul battle, but coalition unconvinced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed Turkey’s keenness to be part of the liberation of the two IS strongholds of Raqqa and Mosul, but continuing differences with Washington and Baghdad make this difficult. Iraq
What's next for Baghdad-Tehran ties as last MEK members leave Iraq? In a new regional victory for Iran, the last group of the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq left neighboring Iraq. Iraq
Meet the likely successor of Islamic State’s Baghdadi After IS spokesman and second-in-command Abu Mohamed al-Adnani was killed in an airstrike last month, there are indications that Bahraini citizen Turki al-Binali may replace him. Saudi Arabia
Political accusations fly in Iraq's Kurdistan region The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan is witnessing a sharp division that could affect the regional government's ability to address Kurdish issues. Iraq
Rise of Iran-backed militias jeopardizes US aid to Iraq US law prohibits military assistance unless Baghdad reins in PMU. Iraq
Ankara hardening anti-PKK strategy Turkey's strategy against the Gulen movement has worked so well, Ankara looks to be extending it to eradicate the Kurdistan Workers Party as well. Iraq
Clinton, Trump enter the homestretch With less than nine weeks to go before Election Day, the candidates came up short at the Commander-in-Chief Forum. Iraq
Children disappear across Iraq, but critics say authorities lack plan As child abduction continues to plague Iraq, the government has still not taken serious measures to deal with the problem, such as funding research and coordinating investigation. Iraq