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
Will the Iraqi Cabinet Meet In Kurdistan Region? Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Government sources have confirmed that a cabinet meeting will be held in Erbil, reports Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Human Rights Watch Slams Iraqi Government for Hawija The Iraqi government is being held accountable for the attack on demonstrators in Hawija on April 23 that resulted in 50 deaths, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Real Estate Market Makes a Comeback Progress made in the political dispute between Baghdad and Erbil has reflected positively on the economic situation in the Kurdistan Region, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Iraq's Sunni-Shiite DivideAbout Governance Iraq needs a political solution that recognizes the grievances of Iraq's Sunni populations and regions, Harith Hasan writes. Iraq
US Complicates Turkey’s Energy Interests in Iraq, Iran US sanctions on Iran and its disapproval of energy investments in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have complicated Turkey’s energy policies, writes Olgu Okumus. Iraq
Truce Proposal Splits Sunni Protesters in Iraq A truce proposal between Sunnis protesting in Anbar and the Iraqi government has been accepted by some Sunnis but rejected by others, reports Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
State Failure Behind Iraqi Sectarian Violence Failures in post-invasion state-building are fueling ongoing sectarian strife in Iraq, writes Narav Salahaddin. Iraq
Iraq's Housing Crisis Worsens Amid High Population Growth According to figures released by Iraq's Ministry of Planning, Iraq witnessed significant population growth in 2012, further exacerbating the country's housing crisis, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Saudi Arabia Clamps Down On Dissent Haytham Mouzahem asks whether recent Saudi actions are tied to efforts to quell sectarian dissent and contain any spillover from either the Shiite-based uprising in Bahrain or the Syrian crisis. Saudi Arabia
The Limits of Alliance in Iraq Between Kurds, Sunni Arabs Without agreement on key nationalist issues, particularly the boundaries of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, alignments between Iraq's Kurdish and Sunni groups against the prime inister are likely to be tactical and short-lived, writes Denise Natali. Iraq
Could Sistani Be Iraq’s Last Hope? Many in Iraq are looking to the country’s highest Shiite authority, Ali al-Sistani, as a last resort for a solution to the ongoing and dire political crisis there, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Sunni Tribes in Anbar, Kirkuk Prepare for Battle In the wake of the Hawija incidents where Sunni protesters were killed and injured by military forces, tribes and towns throughout the provinces of Anbar and Kirkuk are arming themselves, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq