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
Iraq connects electrical grid with Saudi Arabia The move could help Iraq with its electricity woes and reduce energy dependence on Iran. Iraq
PKK threatens journalists, lawmakers in Kurdistan as regional tensions rise The media and a member of the Kurdistan Region parliament have spoken out against threats and pressure from the PKK, as tensions and drone attacks increase. Iraq
Sadr withdrawal from Iraqi parliament challenges Shiite rivals Populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdrew his party members from Iraq's Council of Representatives, introducing a new level of uncertainty into Iraqi politics. Iraq
Iran and Iraq sign tourism deal The agreement follows protests of Iranian “interference” after a drone attack targeted an alleged Israeli spy base in northern Iraq. Iran
Iraqi-KRG counterterrorism cooperation increases in response to attacks Joint operations between Iraqi Counterterrorism Services and their counterparts in some areas of the Kurdistan Region continue to target Islamic State cells, while other armed groups attack Erbil. Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr threatens to withdraw from parliament After failing to form a national majority government, Iraqi populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr asked his party members in parliament to prepare to resign. Iraq
Iraqi parliament approves emergency food security bill Iraqi lawmakers passed an emergency food security bill weeks after the Federal Supreme Court labeled unconstitutional a similar bill proposed by the caretaker government. Iraq
Iraqi parliament passes urgent food security bill The Iraqi judiciary had blocked a previous version of the legislation, which empowers the government to address rising food prices and shortages resulting from the Ukraine war. Iraq
Iraqi prime minister: Iran-Saudi talks have made 'remarkable progress' In a press conference today, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi provided a report of his two years in the office, highlighting his top achievements and top challenges facing his government Iraq
Iraqi border guards shoot down parasail in drug bust The operator may have fled to Kuwait as Iraq’s drug war rages on. Iraq
Iran, Iraq, Syria to cooperate on sandstorms Sandstorms have pummeled the region this year, particularly Iraq. Iran
Iraq's parliament passes anti-normalization law Iraq's lawmakers further criminalize relations with Israel. Iraq