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
Oil services companies stop work in Iraqi Kurdistan after court ruling Iraq’s supreme court recently ruled that the autonomous part of northern Iraq cannot conduct oil deals independent of the federal government, resulting in significant tension. Iraq
Iraq’s northwest wary as IS executions, cross-border movement continue The Islamic State continues to target local tribes and others in desert areas of Iraq and across the border in Syria, as more Iraqi nationals with alleged IS links are moved to an IDP camp in northwestern Iraq. Iraq
Iran, Iraq exchange more soldiers' remains Although the Iran-Iraq War ended in 1988, the remains of fallen soldiers continue to be repatriated between the two countries. Iran
YouTube influencers discover Iraq The most famous content producers on YouTube, including artists, media professionals, and other prominent social media figures, recently visited Iraq. Iraq
World Bank official: Lebanon, Yemen, Syria most food-insecure in region Many states across the Middle East and North Africa meet the criteria for food insecurity, experts said at a US Institute of Peace event. Syria
Iraqi premier advances regional dialogue in Riyadh, Baghdad Iran and Saudi Arabia appear ready to resume diplomatic talks following Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's shuttle diplomacy. Iraq
Militias target again Iraq’s intelligence service Since Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took office in mid-2020, extremist Shiite militias have been trying to undermine the National Intelligence Service, which he has been heading since 2016. Iraq
Iraqi health authorities scramble to contain new animal virus outbreak Viral hemorrhagic fever is spread by contact with animals and can constitute a "public health emergency of international concern." Iraq
Explainer: How Sadr's Shiite rivals became largest bloc in Iraq's parliament Many of the new members of the Council of Representatives taking the place of the 73 Sadrists who resigned are aligned with Iran. Iraq
Iraq targets desert 'wali' and braces for impact of possible conflict Counterterrorism operations in Iraq’s western desert have resulted in the killing of an Islamic State leader as regional tensions rise across the border ahead of a likely Turkish military operation in northern Syria. Iraq
Counterterror ops rake in 'high-value targets' in Iraq, Syria Multiple counterterrorism operations against Islamic State hideouts in both Iraq and Syria in recent weeks have taken out men whom officials claim were leaders within the international terrorist organization. Iraq
Silence from Baghdad as Turkish drone kills Yazidi child in Sinjar The Iraqi government has yet to comment after a 12-year-old was killed in the latest Turkish strike on northern Iraq's Sinjar region. Turkey