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
Money Laundering in Billions, Iraqi Official Estimates Conflicting reports by Iraqi officials bring attention to allegedly rampant money-laundering operations in Iraq. Iraq
Reconciliation, Decision-Making In Iraq As the security situation continues to deteriorate, Iraqi political groups must reconcile and work together to ensure all players have a say in the decision-making process. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Struggles With Influx of Syrian Refugees Like other countries in the region struggling to take in the huge influx of Syrian refugees fleeing the war at home, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has not received the international support needed to do so. Iraq
Lebanon Risks Becoming More Like Iraq Than Syria The nature of back-and-forth Shiite-Sunni fighting in Lebanon more closely resembles the conflict raging in Iraq than the one in neighboring Syria. Iraq
Assyrians Discuss Possible State in Iraq Diasporan Assyrians, descendants of one of Iraq’s oppressed and scattered historic minorities, are examining establishing an autonomous or independent state in Ninevah province. Iraq
After Bombing, Basra Governor Sees 'Political' Price to Pay A truck bomb explosion on the Basra docks exposes the tenuous security situation, and Basra's governor says, "The city is paying the price for the political differences in the country." Iraq
Najaf Seminary Plays Role Of Iraqi Opposition The multiple failings of the Iraqi government have given Najaf the opportunity to play the opposition’s role. Iraq
Despite New Security Measures, Violence Persists in Iraq Although the Iraqi government has developed new plans to address the deteriorating security situation, violence continues to strike throughout the country. Iraq
Khamenei’s Controversial Fatwas Iran’s supreme leader employs traditionalist fatwas to establish his political and religious authority. Iraq
Iraqi Official: Rouhani 'Means Serious Business' With US Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says the Iranian leadership could have prevented Hassan Rouhani from becoming president if it wanted to continue hard-line policies toward the United States. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi Kurdish Forces Help Defend Baghdad The increase of terrorist bombings in Baghdad has been a catalyst for more consultation between Iraqi federal and Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan’s Silent Revolution The KRG is becoming more, not less, dependent upon Baghdad to finance its social welfare programs through oil rents. Iraq