Iraq’s Sadr says 'exclude' armed groups from next government as pressure builds The cleric's call comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi tries to form a government amid political divisions and US demands to curb the influence of Iran-backed actors. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response US strikes and renewed exchanges in Hormuz cast doubt on the ceasefire as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to a new proposal. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence. Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
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
Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s Lawyers Speak Out Against New Law Disputes emerge between lawyers in the Iraqi Kurdistan region in reaction to a new law allowing foreign lawyers to practice their profession there. Iraq
Iraqis Fear Return of 'Death Squads' To Baghdad Streets In light of escalating political crises and sectarian divisions in Iraq, some fear the return of Baghdad’s infamous "death squads," who reigned with terror over the past 10 years. Iraq
Fears of Civil War Cripple Baghdad Commerce As sectarian violence and car bombings continue to flare up across Iraq, new limits on mobility have created roadblocks to the flow of commerce in the country. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdish Opposition Parties Oppose Referendum Iraqi Kurdish opposition parties insist that Kurdistan region President Massoud Barzani submit the draft constitution to the parliament. Iraq
Sadr Gives Maliki 'Final Warning' Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr has issued a warning to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to withdraw militants from the streets amid a series of devastating car bombings throughout Iraq. Iraq
Turkey’s Kurdish Policies Complicate Ties With Iran, Iraq Turkey’s Kurdish policies are developing at the expense of its ties with Iran and Iraq. Iraq