Al-Qaeda now frontline threat to Israel

With gains in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, al-Qaeda and its affiliates threaten Israel more than ever.

Iraq

Are UN Security Council anti-al-Qaeda terror statutes properly enforced?

The UN Security Council has established a regime for a travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo against the al-Qaeda network since 1999, but new circumstances bring about serious doubts if such a regime is still functioning.

Yemen

Iraqi liberals losing ground to Islamists

Although liberal and civil Iraqi figures have formed a new alliance to compete in upcoming parliamentary elections, they seemed to have garnered little popular support amid an increasingly sectarian atmosphere.

Iraq

Baghdad, Erbil continue their struggle for authority

Disagreements between the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government in Baghdad will persist until the two sides reach agreement on interpretation of the constitution.

Iraq

Iraqis divided over new national anthem

Although Saddam Hussein’s regime fell more than a decade ago, Iraqi political disputes have prevented the country from adopting a new national anthem.

Iraq

Iraqi 'Ninth Studio' avoids TV's sectarian divide

Although Iraqi media outlets gained some freedoms post-2003, in the past 10 years much of the country’s media has been highly sectarian, but a few outlets are challenging that stereotype.

Iraq

Iraq’s imagined conflicts

Although Iraqi political forces disagree about many common issues, there are also ideological divides based on exaggerated religious disputes.

Iraq

Russia's Kurdish dilemma

Russia seeks to place its Kurdish policies in the broader context of a changing Middle East.

Iraq

Iraqi army declares its control of Khalidiya

The Iraqi army declared that it has gained control of the Jazira area of Khalidiya, but maintaining that control will be a challenge.

Iraq

Former Iraq VP: Terrorism, political conflict behind Anbar crisis

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, former Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdul-Mahdi speaks about the Anbar crisis, Iranian influence in Iraq and his expectations for the upcoming elections.

Saudi Arabia

Anbar war opens front on Facebook, Twitter

As the battles in Anbar continue and sectarian tensions rise in Iraq, citizens from both sides have set up Facebook pages to gather supporters and present their views.

Iraq

Nonsectarian citizens isolated in Iraq

Amid increased sectarian tensions, those Iraqis who choose not to side with one sectarian group have found themselves targeted by many, including their own communities.

Iraq