Which 6 Kurdish groups could join the war in Iran? Iranian Kurdish groups that recently formed an alliance could soon join the United States and Israel in their campaign against the Islamic Republic, Al-Monitor has learned. Iran
Exclusive US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days' The CIA has reportedly been in contact with Iranian Kurdish armed groups since last year, as Israel has pressed for Kurdish engagement. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Kurds see opening yet remain wary as Trump seeks help to oust Iran regime As the US and Israel escalate strikes on Iran, Trump has opened talks with Iraqi Kurdish leaders about their potential involvement in the conflict. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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
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
Iraq's 2 million IDPs struggling The Islamic State’s offensive this year, and the subsequent conflict that has followed, has spawned nearly 2 million internally displaced persons, many of whom live in run-down, squalid refugee camps and are desperate for aid. Iraq
Iraqis bicker over liberating Mosul Arab disputes over leadership and relations with Baghdad and the Kurds, as well as Kurdish disinterest in defending Sunni Arab territories, are complicating efforts to defeat the Islamic State in a highly fragmented Iraq. Iraq
Turkey, Iran at war over trucking A 1994 transportation accord has fueled Turkish-Iranian rivalry for economic and political influence in Central Asia. Iraq
Iraqi Shiite pilgrimage takes political turn As the pilgrimage of Arbaeen in Iraq grows in strength, so do its political dimensions. Iraq
Kurdish Sinjar offensive too late for some Yazidis Whatever the outcome of the battle of Sinjar, it will take a while for Yazidis to regain confidence in the peshmerga, whom they blame for abandoning the town to the Islamic State. Iraq
Larijani offers Iran's support in visit to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq Head of Iran's parliament Ali Larijani traveled to Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, where he met with top religious and political officials. Iraq
Baghdad's 'blind eye' leads to IS routs in Anbar The Islamic State continues to extend its control in Anbar as the Iraqi army falls back. Iraq
Iraqi women don more conservative dress As religious conservatism rises in Iraq, women are going beyond the hijab to show their religious commitment and membership in their communities. Iraq
Islamic State's female bloggers draw European women to Syria Posts about dinners, travel routes and Kalashnikovs are designed to encourage women to join up as teachers, nurses and wives. Iraq
Iraqi volunteers' victories don't justify atrocities The popular mobilization, which is formed of Shiite volunteers to fight the Islamic State, has been both sanctified and demonized in Iraqi media, in light of its success in warding off IS from certain cities, while at the same time committing violations on the battlefield. Iraq
Iraqis hungry for knowledge on country's displaced Jews Official suppression of the history of Jews forced to leave Iraq in the mid-20th century ended with the toppling of Saddam Hussein and is now being explored in movies and news reports. Iraq
Qom, Najaf call for improved relations with Saudi Arabia Prominent religious authorities in both Qom and Najaf have called on political leaders in their countries to improve their relations with Saudi Arabia after the latter took a strict stance against Salafist jihadism. Saudi Arabia