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
Iraq Looks to Foreign Investment To Boost Oil Capacity Technip, a French company, has been awarded a major refining contract in Iraq. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdish Parties Agree On Controversial Information Law After three years of discussion, the various blocs in the Kurdistan Regional Government have reached a consensus on military, security, political and personal exceptions to the law protecting free access to information. Iraq
Expectations Are High For Maliki-Barzani Summit in Erbil Sunday's planned meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani seems to show the two governments' conflict is quieting down. Iraq
Iraqi Interfaith Council Tries to Protect Minorities The Iraqi Council for Interfaith Dialogue has sought to unite people around protection of minorities. Iraq
Does Al-Qaeda in Iraq Have Chemical Weapons? Iraq's Defense Ministry says al-Qaeda was caught producing chemical weapons; some believe the claim was made to distract from authorities’ mismanagement of the security situation. Iraq
The Mideast in Venice Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist. United Arab Emirates
American University Graduates Students From Across Iraq The American University of Iraq in Sulaimaniyah brings together Iraq’s various religious and ethnic groups, providing education away from the country's sectarian divide. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Criticize Growing Turkish Influence The KRG’s drive for autonomy and stability via Turkey is revealing the gaps between Kurdish economic and political aims and between KRG elites and local populations. Iraq
Gunmen Attack Convoy Of Syrian Cargo Trucks in Iraq Al-Qaeda in Iraq may be behind an attack on four cargo trucks carrying highly flammable material from Iraq to Syria on June 2. Iraq
Shiite Holiday Raises Fears Of More Bombings in Baghdad With the approach of a Shiite holiday expected to bring observers to the capital, authorities worry that the recent wave of car bombings will grow. Iraq
Al-Qaeda-Iraq Statement A Sign Of Rising Sectarian Violence In a rare public statement, al-Qaeda in Iraq has announced that it is meeting with Sunni leaders in the west of the country to join forces to fight the “Iranian Safavid gestapo.” Iraq
Is Iraq on Verge of New Civil War? Months of unrest in Iraq’s Sunni provinces, along with recent car bombings and other forms of sectarian violence, have raised concerns about another civil war. Iraq