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
Iraq prepares to amend its existing oil contracts In light of the oil price slide, Iraq’s Oil Ministry is preparing to review contracts with foreign oil companies. Iraq
Will faulty dam leave Mosul in deep water? As maintenance work continues to ensure the structure stays strong, those residing near the Mosul dam live in fear of both flood waters and the terror group. Iraq
Why is Iraq challenging human rights reports? Despite accounts of major human rights violations in Iraq, the government continues to deny and criticize reports by international human rights organizations. Iraq
Who's really taking Christian homes in Iraq? Although the Popular Mobilization Units grouping has been accused of seizing the homes of Baghdad’s Christians, the organization is leading a campaign to recover the properties. Iraq
After terrorist label, what is GCC's next move against Hezbollah? Iranian officials and media have condemned the decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council to label the Lebanese group Hezbollah a terrorist organization and believe more anti-Hezbollah actions are on the way. Saudi Arabia
House panel decries Islamic State genocide The Foreign Affairs Committee also voted to label Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a war criminal. Iraq
Abadi outgunned in fight to disarm tribes The Iraqi state faces serious obstacles in its efforts to confiscate weapons from the heavily armed populace, which is much more concerned with tribal ties and customs than the rule of law. Iraq
What is stopping the liberation of Mosul? The liberation of Mosul from the Islamic State will be a complicated task for the Iraqi forces, as several players will be involved in the operation. Iraq
Will Abadi put his money where his mouth is? Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s contemplated Cabinet reshuffle to include technocrats and academics seems to be impossible in light of the sectarian political system in the country and the prevailing scepticism about this step among the political class. Iraq
As economic crisis continues, will Kurdish peshmerga desert? The situation of the peshmerga forces in Iraq's Kurdistan Region is precarious in the absence of coordination with the Iraqi government and the economic crisis that has left them long unpaid. Iraq
Iraq's dubious religious shrines The Shiite residents of Babil keep visiting religious shrines as they believe in their healing character, although historical information contradicts their beliefs. Iraq
Why Saudis may take on Iraq’s Shiite militias Saudi Arabia sees Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units, formed from various Shiite militias to fight the Islamic State, as a dangerous long-term foe for the Sunni Islamic world. Saudi Arabia
