US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence. Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM Trump signals hope for a "tremendous new chapter” in US-Iraq ties with the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister. By Week in Review
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iraqi entrepreneurs strike it rich reselling goods on Facebook Iraqi entrepreneurs have launched Facebook pages selling US and European products to Iraqis, who usually do not have access to international goods. Iraq
Transitional justice fails in Iraq After the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, measures to implement transitional justice have been largely unsuccessful. Iraq
Lights out on Maliki's electricity promises Ali al-Fayyad, deputy head of the Iraqi parliament's Energy Committee, said he's hoping the private sector steps in to ease the electricity crisis that the people have suffered from for decades, especially in the scorching summer months. Iraq
How Turkey lost its influence in Iraq Ankara's tilt toward the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has undermined its once considerable influence in Iraq. Iraq
Maliki’s call for unity conference in Anbar may be too late Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently called for a conference to solve the Anbar crisis, which might be futile if the tribal and political differences are not settled first. Iraq
KRG risks isolation in Iraq by exporting oil through Turkey Erbil’s decision to export oil without consulting the Baghdad government could also increase Turkish leverage on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Iraq
Turkey’s Kurdish oil gamble Turkey’s sale of Iraqi Kurdish crude oil could backfire for Ankara and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Iraq
Iraqis' epidemic of mental illness Although statistics from international organizations indicate that mental illness is on the rise in Iraq, social stigma prevents patients from getting treated and students from studying psychology and psychiatry. Iraq
Will Iraqi elections be decided in Iraq? Given the internal divisions and sectarian tensions characterizing the Iraqi scene, external powers maintain strong influence in the country. Iraq
Sunni, Shiite scholars attempt to ease Iraqi political conflicts As Iraq's sectarian conflicts have always exacerbated political strife, communication networks between Shiite and Sunni clerics are sorely needed. Iraq
Iraqi higher education continues decline Although Iraq has seen a sharp rise in the number of higher education institutions in recent years, the quality remains poor. Iraq
Prospects of Shiite 'National Alliance' hinge on Maliki Most Shiite forces, for now, think they have an interest in rebuilding the alliance, but the final call will depend on the decision of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the State of Law Coalition, which won the most votes in the parliamentary elections last month. Iraq