Iraq’s Sadr says 'exclude' armed groups from next government as pressure builds The cleric's call comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi tries to form a government amid political divisions and US demands to curb the influence of Iran-backed actors. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response US strikes and renewed exchanges in Hormuz cast doubt on the ceasefire as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to a new proposal. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence. Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iraq’s Premiership Needs Reform Iraq's judiciary ruled Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki eligible to run for a third term, but Iraqi lawmakers need to address more important reforms involving the position and government. Iraq
Religious Leaders in Najaf Support Iraqi Protesters Najaf’s influential religious authorities have come out in favor of the latest round of protests and their demands, and against the government crackdown. Iraq
Maliki to Run for Third Term Following Court Decision A Federal Supreme Court decision in Iraq has paved the way for standing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to run for a third term of office. Iraq
Iraqi Politicians Mobilize Followers Through Feasts Given the tribal nature of Iraqi society, politicians often must seek the support of large clans to ensure success in elections. Iraq
Iraqi Secular Trend Responds To Religious Extremism In the face of increasingly influential religious forces, Iraq's secular and moderate figures attempt to play a part in developing the country’s national identity. Iraq
Delay in Action Against Syria Could Help Geneva II Track Bad memories of the Iraq invasion should lead to negotiations to end the Syrian conflict. Iraq
Maliki Launches Counterattack Against Opponents Iraq’s top court overturned a law that would have prevented standing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki from running for a third term of office. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan’s Election Campaigns in Full Swing Unlike the electoral campaigns of the Iraqi local elections in April, the electoral campaigns now underway in Iraqi Kurdistan seem more organized and democratic. Iraq
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