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
Iran’s pipeline politics reaches Iraqi Kurdistan The planned construction of a pipeline connecting Iraqi Kurdistan with Iran could further cement Iran's position as the regional energy hub — and also benefit Kurds on both sides of the border. Iraq
Will Popular Mobilization Units participate in battle for Mosul? Popular Mobilization Units leaders insist on participating in the fight to liberate Mosul, despite renewed demands by some Sunni politicians to exclude the units because of their history of human rights violations. Iraq
Prized Lion of Babylon joins list of crumbling Iraqi antiquities The ancient Lion of Babylon, Iraq’s national symbol, is critically threatened by erosion and neglect. Iraq
Iraqi army radio takes aim at IS The Iraqi army in Ninevah province has been operating a radio station in the area, with the aim of demonizing the Islamic State among the residents. Iraq
Will Shiite power struggle turn into armed conflict in Iraq? Signs are indicating that political disagreements over power among Shiite parties may turn into armed conflict, given the multiple armed factions and their influence on the street and within government institutions. Iraq
Bloody power struggles continue in Iraq’s disputed territories A rash of kidnappings, ambushes and bombs in Tuz Khormato are aggravating tensions between the ethnic components of the city despite efforts to balance security forces along sectarian lines. Iraq
Digital map seeks to document 'trail of destruction' of Mideast antiquities Government and nonprofit organizations are working together to mitigate the threats that the Islamic State, looters and others pose to Middle East antiquities. Yemen
Iraqi marsh residents hold tight to their reed homes The Iraqi government is seeking to include the country's marshes on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as the residents in the south have used reeds from the marshes to build their houses for thousands of years. Iraq
Could an alternative Kurdish party succeed in Turkey? Two Kurdish parties are merging and others are striving for a joint front, but there are doubts as to whether any effort to form an alternative Kurdish party is feasible. Iraq
Is Tunisia prepared for return of thousands of Islamic State fighters? Thousands of Islamic State fighters are expected to return to Tunisia, where the authorities are uncertain how to deal with the risk they may pose. Iraq
The myth of a tripartite Iraq Although it is often claimed that a federal state with an autonomous region for Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds would stabilize Iraq, this proposition has little bearing to the realities on the ground. Iraq
US election 2016: Orlando shooting sparks furious attacks on campaign trail Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of June 13. Iraq