Oil falls 1.8% as traders await 'toughest' sanctions on Iran Traders are awaiting details about new US measures sure to further disrupt Iranian oil flows. Iran
Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran dismisses Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ threat Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq; Turkey denies military presence at Syrian base hit by Israel; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Interview Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor. Masrour Barzani KRG Prime Minister
Exclusive Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria blames Israel for strikes on military airport in Idlib By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Maliki, parliament in legal battle over budget As the debate over the general budget continues in the Iraqi parliament, the government has gone to the judiciary for permission to disburse funds allocated to operating expenses. Iraq
Hakim warns about politicization of Iraqi army In an interview with Al-Monitor, the head of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim speaks about his conceptions for the Iraqi state and says that the Anbar crisis cannot be solved via a military solution. Iraq
Reading 'Frankenstein in Baghdad' While many Iraqis have grown accustomed to daily violence and attacks, some writers are trying to tackle these topics in literary works. Iraq
Women’s movement in Iraq faces setbacks Although Iraq was once a pioneer in women’s rights in the region, Iraqi women have suffered a number of setbacks in recent years. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds fear fallout from Erdogan-Gulen conflict Some Iraqi Kurds are worried that the potential fall of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan might result in a reversal of good relations between Erbil and Ankara. Iraq
Baghdad holds international anti-terrorism conference According to the conference organizers, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were invited, but didn’t attend, despite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's accusing of them of supporting terrorism. Saudi Arabia
Anbar witnesses political divide amid ongoing clashes Military operations in Iraq’s Anbar province continue, but local politicians are divided among themselves while preparing for upcoming parliamentary elections. Iraq
Iraqi candidates exchange government jobs for votes Despite the Iraqi people’s aspirations for a democratic state, many politicians hand out government jobs during election season to ensure votes. Iraq
Iraqi army must combat sectarianism During the ongoing clashes in Anbar, a number of soldiers have engaged in actions that promote ethnic and sectarian tensions, highlighting the need for the government to enact laws to combat such practices. Iraq
Is ISIS planning for new Fallujahs? In recent weeks, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has changed its tactics in Iraq, focusing on expanding its scope of influence. Iraq
Najaf seminaries maintain traditional teaching methods Unlike some religious schools in Iran and Lebanon, the seminaries in Najaf have maintained traditional teaching methods that allow students flexibility in choosing their course of study. Iraq
Iraqi campaign failing in struggle against illiteracy The Iraqi government and UNESCO launched an ambitious campaign to fight illiteracy in the country, but it has not been fully implemented. Iraq