Turkey, Iraq leaders tout cooperation in Ankara, but major disputes persist The Turkish and Iraqi leaders signed 11 cooperation deals in Ankara, but talks yield no apparent breakthrough on suspended oil exports or electricity flow. Turkey
Exclusive Turkey stops electricity sales to Iraq after Baghdad fails to settle $70M+ bill Turkey halted electricity exports to Iraq over unpaid dues, straining ties as Baghdad faces a summer power crunch and unresolved Kurdish oil disputes. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis Pope Francis was praised by several regional leaders and churches, including Lebanon's Maronite Church and Iraqi officials, who noted his historic visit to Iraq in 2021. Lebanon
After steep fall, oil prices slightly recover following Trump tariff pause Over the last week, oil prices have plummeted amid the escalating trade war between the United States and China. Saudi Arabia
Exclusive Iraq seeks more compensation from Turkey, 'blocks' reopening of Kurds' oil pipeline By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria, Iraq form joint business council Relations between Syria and Iraq were poor in the 20th century but have gradually improved in the security and economic spheres in recent years. Syria
Iraqi finance minister resigns over continuing political crisis Finance Minister Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi has resigned from his post in the Iraqi government. Iraq
Weapons warehouse blasts frighten Iraqis Concerns over whether weapons held in and near urban areas are being properly stored — and who is holding them — are being raised after several blasts of unclear origins near major Iraqi cities. Iraq
Understanding Iraq's Coordination Framework The Coordination Framework is an umbrella bloc of Iraqi Shiite parties united mostly by their opposition to the Sadrist movement. Iraq
What Iraq's rival Shiite forces want The Shiite political parties are split into two rival camps, the Sadrists and the Coordination Framework, which is far less than unified. Iraq
Kurdish leaders meet as Iraqi political deadlock continues Iraq’s two major Kurdish parties have been trying to reach a compromise between the two, but to no avail. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Iraq agrees to provide Lebanon with fuel for another year Lebanon’s fuel crisis is showing no signs of letting up, but an exchange with Iraq is keeping one source flowing. Lebanon
Iraq to hold interfaith dialogue with Vatican participation Iraq has launched a new round of interfaith dialogues in the wake of achievements related to tolerance and the recognition of others. Iraq
Suicide attack thwarted as Iraqi Shiites celebrate Ashura While the history of al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Islamic State continue to haunt Iraq, the start of the annual Shiite religious mourning celebration was largely uneventful — though Diyala province remains problematic. Iraq
Iraq's Sadr calls on judiciary to dissolve parliament Populist Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr presses on the Judiciary to dissolve the parliament as a preparation for early elections. Iraq
Iraqi rival parties can't agree on path to new elections Although Iraq's two rival Shiite groups, the Sadrists and the Coordination Framework, both agreed on early elections, they can't agree on the details. Iraq
US 'concerned' about response to protests in Kurdistan Region Press freedom issues are not new in the autonomous Iraqi region. Iraq