US warns of kidnapping threat in Iraq as Iran-backed militia hits diplomatic facility A number of US-related sites have been targeted by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, prompting Baghdad to bolster its air defenses. Iraq
Exclusive Baghdad, US turn to Iraqi Kurds for oil exports as Iran war hits supplies Baghdad wants Kurdish pipelines to move up to 200,000 barrels per day to global markets, but Erbil is demanding relief from a dollar embargo and greater autonomy over trade. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Why Israel's looking to Kurds to make gains against Iran regime Israeli-Kurdish relations are rooted in a common struggle against Islamic extremism and the Kurds’ strategic presence across Turkey, Syria and Iran. Israel
Analysis CIA, Mossad bolster Iran’s Kurds as US, Israel seek to ignite military revolt Israel hopes Iran’s Kurds, and other minorities, will mobilize to help bring down the Iranian regime. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Exclusive US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days' By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Kurds see opening yet remain wary as Trump seeks help to oust Iran regime By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Japan’s Lesson of Tolerance for Iraq The Japanese government has opened a maternity and children’s hospital in Fallujah in honor of a Japanese journalist who died in the city, which should serve as a lesson of tolerance and reconciliation for Iraq. Iraq
Iraq Must Accommodate Foreign Workers to Boost Investments In a sign of bureaucratic inefficiency, Iraq admits that it has not been properly accommodating foreign workers coming into the country working for oil companies. Iraq
'Baghdad Belt' Deals With New Sectarian Tensions Once a paradigm of multi-sectarian coexistence, the towns in the area circling the Iraqi capital known as the "Baghdad belt" have been some of the first victims of increased security measures and sectarian incitement in a turbulent Iraq. Iraq
Iran Divides Iraqi Politicians Iran’s long-standing and deep involvement in Iraqi politics has recently witnessed a backlash. Iraq
Sadr Reconsiders Political Role, Mahdi Army Tensions have boiled over between the Mahdi Army and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq near Baghdad, as the Sadrist movement re-evaluates its military wing and vies for greater political sway. Iraq
Kurdish Jihadists Fight Kurds in Syria Some young Iraqi Kurdish men are being lured by al-Qaeda's call for jihad in Syria, even if it puts them into combat with their Kurdish brethren. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Elections Could Be Turning Point The legislative elections on Sept. 21 could bring new political alliances to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Iraq
Iraq to Reinstate Sahwa Forces The Iraqi government is trying to revive the Awakening Movement — the Sahwa forces — among Sunni tribes to combat the rise in terrorism. Iraq
Iraqi Dinar Exchange Rate Linked To Oil Exports, Federal Reserves Experts estimate that Iraq’s federal reserves have reached $80 billion, and are likely to grow given an expected increase in oil output. Iraq
Reports of Syria Chemical Attack Split Iraqis The alleged chemical attack in Syria has revealed a sectarian rift in Iraq, with some Sunnis accusing Syria’s Alawite regime, while some Shiites blame the massacre on the opposition. Iraq
Iraq’s Missing Parliament Iraq’s parliament appears to play a largely superficial role, while political blocs and alliances make the decisions that matter. Iraq
Ongoing Political Deadlock Spurs Iraqi Civil Activists Iraqis headed to the polls six times in 10 years, and they continue to live in a society that is insecure and has an inadequate infrastructure and deepening gap between the different groups. Iraq