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

Shiites, Sunnis unite to denounce and condemn extremists

The recent surge of Islamist extremists movements has had a positive effect in uniting Shiite and Sunni clerics, from Tehran to Cairo, to denounce the waves of intolerance and radicalism.

Saudi Arabia

Russia steps up its Middle East policy

Russia has recently increased its diplomatic efforts in the Middle East on a variety of fronts, ranging from Arab-Israeli peace to trade with Lebanon and military cooperation with Sudan.

Iraq

Abadi vows to hunt 'ghost soldiers'

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has publicly addressed the issue of "ghost" soldiers and employees, an aspect of rampant state corruption, and promised to fight the problem.

Iraq