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
Iraq's Baha'is Continue to Face Persecution, Social Exclusion Despite recent efforts by religious authorities to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding, Iraq’s Baha’is are still subject to persecution and exclusion. Iraq
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