Interview Yadlin: Israel's war goal to weaken Iran, not immediate regime change Israeli leaders are aware that Washington will decide when the war ends whether or not Israel has achieved its war aims, Yadlin told Al-Monitor.
Oil jumps above $100 as energy crisis called worst in history: What to know The latest spike is the second time in a week that oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel. Iran
US warns of kidnapping threat in Iraq as Iran-backed militia hits diplomatic facility A number of US-related sites have been targeted by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, prompting Baghdad to bolster its air defenses. Iraq
Exclusive Baghdad, US turn to Iraqi Kurds for oil exports as Iran war hits supplies Baghdad wants Kurdish pipelines to move up to 200,000 barrels per day to global markets, but Erbil is demanding relief from a dollar embargo and greater autonomy over trade. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis CIA, Mossad bolster Iran’s Kurds as US, Israel seek to ignite military revolt By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Exclusive US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days' By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Black Iraqis Struggle To Shake Legacy of Racism Although Iraqis of African descent have had a significant presence in the country since the days of slave trade, particularly in the port of Basra, this community continues to face racism today, as it has for centuries. Iraq
Iraq to Receive Russian Military Helicopters The Iraqi government is expanding its armed forces. Iraq
UN to Decide on Ending Sanctions Against Iraq The UN Security Council will consider this month whether to remove Iraq from UN Chapter VII regulations, but Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations still require permanent solutions to overcome the past. Kuwait
Turkey's Sunni Identity Test The Turkish government’s sectarian impulse, resurging whenever foreign policy fails, reverberates in domestic politics and fans social unrest. Iraq
Iraqi Shiite Cleric: Iraqi Extremism A 'Transitory Phase' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Iraqi Shiite authority Hussein al-Sadr shares his perspective on the state of affairs in Iraq 10 years after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iraq
Turkey-Kurdish Peace Process on Hold? Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government says the talks are on track, but the Kurdish side is warning of a break in the process. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Join Pro-Erdogan Protests Fearing setbacks in Kurdish-Turkish relations, Iraqi Kurds have taken to the streets in support of Erdogan, whom many regard as being the most tolerant of Turkey’s leaders toward the Kurdish population. Iraq
Foreign Oil Companies in Basra Caught in Political Crossfire Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition has lost control of the governorship in the oil-rich province of Basra, adding a new wrinkle to oil disputes in the region. Iraq
Barzani Seeks Compromise On Draft Constitution Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani has called together Kurdish factions to discuss controversial aspects of the region’s long-awaited draft constitution. Iraq
Opposition in Iraqi Kurdistan Questions Population Figures Population growth and density have become a hot topic among the Iraqi Kurdistan Region's opposition parties, as changing figures will inevitably affect election outcomes. Iraq
Iraq Moves Troops To Syrian Border As attacks and casualties continue to increase, Iraqi authorities have sent troops to the border with Syria in an effort to slow the flow of jihadist fighters, Iraq
Fewer Iranian Religious Tourists Are Visiting Iraq's Holy Places Economic and security concerns have led to a marked decrease in the number of Iranians visiting Iraq as religious tourists. Iraq