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
KRG Responds to Article On Terrorist Bombing in Erbil In a letter to the editor, a director in the office of the Kurdistan Regional Government's Representation to the US, Karwan Zebari, responds to Denise Natali's Al-Monitor article "Prison Break, Suicide, Bombing, Rock Iraqi Kurdistan." Iraq
Iraqi Youth Initiative Combats Sectarianism Citizenship Ambassadors aims to bring together youths from Iraq's various religious and ethnic communities and regional affiliations to combat the escalating sectarian conflict in the country. Iraq
Smugglers Easily Cross Iraq’s Border Despite the efforts of Iraq and the six countries bordering it, Iraq’s borders are easily navigated by professional smugglers. Saudi Arabia
New Iraqi Association Strives To Help Unmarried Women "Single Women" recently opened its doors in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region to assist unmarried women who have traditionally been neglected by society. Iraq
Soccer Decision Fuels Sense of Iraqi Victimhood Given the inextricable relationship between sports and politics in Iraq, a decision by the Gulf states to move the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations out of Basra has hit a personal note with Iraqi politicians. Iraq
The Crisis of Moral Decline in Iraqi Society Following years of violence and despotic rule, Iraqis have lost a sense of moral responsibility toward society, something that must urgently be addressed to provide security and reach lasting solutions. Iraq
Iraq's Morgues Overwhelmed By Surge in Terror Attacks The recent surge in suicide attacks has started overwhelming Iraq’s morgues, even though the country has become experienced in dealing with large numbers of deaths given its numerous wars since 1980. Iraq
Iraq Plays Politics with Security As Elections Approach Iraqi politicians treat security as an electoral matter, while security disintegrates throughout the country. Iraq
Sistani Issues Fatwa Against Sectarian Violence in Iraq Amid rising sectarian rhetoric and violence in Iraq, Iraqi Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has issued a fatwa condemning anti-Sunni violence. Iraq
Talabani's Party Stung by Loss In Iraqi Kurdistan Elections The upcoming meeting of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in January 2014 may be an opportunity to elect new leadership. Iraq
In Iraq, Honor Crimes Spread to Cities Once common only in rural areas, the practice of murdering women and other Iraqis for what some perceive as immoral acts has made its way into the country’s urban centers. Iraq
Iraqi Political Factions Divided Over New Electoral Law Iraqi political forces are squabbling while each tries to shape the new electoral law in a way that best suits its political clout. Iraq