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Iraq

April 21, 2026

Baghdad 1:37 am

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Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy.

A man walks through the atrium during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

IMF slashes Mideast outlook by nearly 3 points as Iran war hits economies

The International Monetary Fund cut gross domestic product forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa, with the fallout from the conflict exposing stark divergences between the region’s energy exporters and importers.

A photograph shows the damage in the aftermath of a drone strike in the Seef district of Manama on March 10, 2026.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia summon Iraqi diplomats over militia attacks: What to know

The United States and Kuwait have likewise criticized Iraq over actions tied to Iran-backed armed groups in the country.

An undated image of Shelly Kittleson.

Exclusive

'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release

Officials say Faiq Zaidan leveraged his influence with Iran-backed militias to help secure the US journalist’s release, underscoring his outsized power in Iraq’s fractured political landscape.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Analysis

How fast can Gulf energy production rebound after US-Iran ceasefire?

picture of Qatar Energy's operating facilities on March 3, 2026, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US journalist Shelly Kittleson released by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq

An undated image of Shelly Kittleson.

Analysis

Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint?

A police speed boat patrols the port as oil tankers and high speed crafts sit anchored at Muscat Anchorage near the Strait of Hormuz on March 30, 2026 in Muscat, Oman.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Syria reopens key crossing after 11 years, aiding Iraq's oil exports amid war

A member of the Popular Mobilization Forces patrols along a concrete wall at the Iraqi-Syrian border in Al-Qaim, west of Iraq, on Jan. 23, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

An undated image of Rashid.

Iraqi lawmakers elect Abdul Latif Rashid as new president

The often-deadlocked parliament chose a veteran Kurdish politician as president, who in turn designated Muhammad Shia al-Sudani for the prime minister position.

Flag

Rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone as lawmakers gather to select Iraq's president

As lawmakers were preparing to select the country's president, several rockets hit the area around the parliament building.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Iraqi parliament sets date to pick president

The Iraqi parliament is set to meet Thursday to select the president and from there, form a new government.

Representatives of OPEC member countries attend a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, Vienna, Austria, Oct. 5, 2022.

Iraq's commitment to OPEC oil reduction won't affect exports

Iraq's oil reduction per the recent OPEC+ agreement will not affect the country's revenues, according to Iraq's oil minister.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi (2nd right) and his Jordanian counterpart, Bisher al-Khasawneh (2nd left), are seen during the launching ceremony of the electrical grid connection project between the two countries, Anbar province, Iraq, Oct. 6, 2022.

Iraq, Jordan launch electrical grid connection project

Iraq and Jordan launched a project for an electrical grid connection between the two countries in order to improve Iraq's electricity situation and boost economic ties between the two countries.

Nasiriyah protest

Iraq situation ‘highly volatile,' envoy warns Security Council

The UN’s envoy to Iraq delivered a scathing indictment of the country’s political class during today’s Security Council briefing, decrying its exposure of the population to severe risks.

Kadhimi in Erbil

Iraqi PM, in Erbil, makes case for national dialogue

Iraq's political deadlock continues amid fear of a new wave of violence erupting in the streets.

Halfaya oil field in the al-Kahla district in the city of Amara south of Baghdad on July 26, 2022.

Abu Dhabi port operator signs oil transport deal with Iraqi firm

AD Ports Group is seeking to expand its international business, recently making agreements in Egypt and Uzbekistan to this end.

Iraq protest

Baghdad prepares for Tishreen protest amid political deadlock

Tishreen movement, supported by Sadrists, plan to march tomorrow in Baghdad on the anniversary of the sweeping protests of 2019.

AFP via Getty Images

Iran vows to strike back if US destroys more of its drones over Iraq

Iran has vowed to respond to any “hostile actions” after an Iranian drone was reportedly shot down en route to Erbil.

Smoke billows following an Iranian cross-border attack in the area of Zargwez.

Breaking | Last Updated: October 14, 2022, 10:29 am

US confirms American citizen killed in Iranian rocket attack in Iraq

Omar Mahmoudzadeh's family confirmed to Al-Monitor that he died in an Iranian strike Thursday in the Iraqi-Kurdish town of Koya.

Supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr clash with Iraqi security forces in Liberation Square in the centre of Iraq's capital Baghdad on Sept. 28, 2022, during a parliament session in the nearby high-security Green Zone across the Tigris river.

Clashes rock Baghdad's Green Zone as Iraqi parliament re-elects speaker

Iraqi parliament re-elected Mohammed al-Halbusi as parliament speaker amid protests and rockets in the Green Zone.