Exclusive 100 non-Syrian Kurds return to PKK’s Qandil stronghold under SDF-Damascus deal The transfer of non-Syrian PKK fighters to Iraq’s Qandil Mountains follows a US-brokered SDF-Damascus deal aimed at easing tensions and preserving Kurdish forces under national army oversight. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iraq’s Maliki rejects Trump criticism, vows to stay in PM race Maliki refused to withdraw from the race, despite mounting pressure from the US, and expressed a desire for good relations with Iraq’s neighbors and Washington. Iraq
How US-India trade deal could impact Mideast energy, trade routes The United States and India struck a trade agreement on Monday that eases months of tension between the two countries and could influence Gulf oil flows and economic integration. Saudi Arabia
Iraq's Shiite bloc holds talks with Kurds as deadlock on president, PM persists The Shiite-led Coordination Framework reiterated its support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Saturday, despite vocal criticism by US President Donald Trump of the former premier. Iraq
Analysis After Trump’s rebuke, can Maliki rebound in Iraq, or does Sudani become favorite? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Family feuds among Iraq’s Kurdish leaders embolden Iran Iraqi Kurdish leaders are at each other’s throats instead of closing ranks as Iran rains cross-border missile and drone attacks on the region and threatens a ground invasion. Iraq
Iraqi startup Lezzoo expands with purchase of Saydo The delivery startup is one of several in the autonomous Kurdistan Region, and the autonomous government is hoping to spur more startup growth. Iraq
Protests erupt in southern Iraq as man sentenced for tweeting against PMU Security concerns for southern Iraq have risen following an attempted suicide attack near Karbala and deadly protests in Nasiriyah sparked by a prison sentence for a man accused of insulting security forces. Iraq
Iraq's Sadr takes aim at LGBTQ community Leader of the Sadrist movement Muqtada al-Sadr made the headlines again in Iraq by announcing his opposition to homosexuality, several months into his withdrawal from the political process. Iraq
Syrian rebels kill IS caliph as attacks continue in Iraq, Syria The Islamic State’s third caliph has been killed in southern Syria as Iraqis retain control of the organization amid concerns and confusion about identities, fighter whereabouts and security gaps. Iraq
Iran-linked militia in Iraq threatens Saudi Arabia as Iraqi PM visits Tehran Kataib Hezbollah are calling for more attacks on Saudi Arabia amid wrangling over who should protect the country’s borders. Iraq
Iran, Iraq sign $4 billion engineering agreement The deal comes at a notable time in Iran-Iraq relations, as the Islamic Republic continues to threaten and attack Kurdish groups in Iraq. Iran
Iran’s oil ministry opens offices in Baghdad, Basra, Kurdistan Iran is opening offices for its oil ministries in several Iraqi cities to expand cooperation in oil, gas and other energy sectors. Iraq
Iran's Khamenei tells Iraq to move against Kurdish groups While Iraq has been unsettled by Iranian strikes on Kurdish groups, Tehran appeared adamant in its demand for their ouster from Iraqi soil. Iran
Khamenei urges Iraqi PM to stand up to common 'enemies' In meeting with Iranian president, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also asks Iran to expand gas imports to meet electricity needs. Iraq
Iraqi government, parliament working together to pass bills The pace of completion of pending legislation is quickening amid noticeable cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of the current government. Iraq
Iraqi PM tries to assure skeptics of anti-corruption initiative The new Iraqi prime minister says there will be no tolerance for human rights abuses in battling corruption. Iraq