CENTCOM: Six killed after US refueling tanker aircraft crashes in Iraq The KC-135 is the fourth American military aircraft downed since the war against Iran began. Iraq
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 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
Finance Minister's Resignation Escalates Iraqi Crisis Mustafa al-Kadhimi asks whether Iraq’s politicians have abandoned negotiations to exploit the ongoing protests for electoral gains. Iraq
Iraqi Politician Attacks Central Bank Corruption The Iraqi Sunni politician Ahmed al-Alwani claims that Iraqi private banks have been involved in schemes to bypass the sanctions imposed on Syria and Iran, reports Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Maliki Seeks to Improve Ties With Egypt Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has held meetings with his Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood counterpart, Hesham Kandil, in a bid to rebuild ties, but challenges remain, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Egypt
Muqtada al-Sadr Attacks Iraq's Integrity Committee The Iraqi Commission of Integrity has become the latest target in Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s campaign against Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in a dispute that began in 2008, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Iraq's Border Becomes New Fault Line in Syrian War An ambush on the Iraq-Syria border that killed 62 Syrian soldiers and nine Iraqi guards has brought the Syrian civil war to Iraq, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
In Weak Economy, Iraqis Look for Government Jobs Amid a floundering job market, many Iraqis look to public-sector jobs as a means of stable, permanent employment, reports Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraq Reconstruction Report Documents Waste, Corruption Stuart Bowen, the US official in charge of monitoring $60 billion spent by the US on Iraqi stabilization and reconstruction, says 15% was wasted, millions were stolen and the US government is still not properly organized to carry out such operations, writes Barbara Slavin. Iraq
Hagel, Syria, the P5+1 and Iran The Senate confirmed Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense as the United States announced $60 million in non-lethal aid to the Syrian Opposition Council; Israel, Iraq and Lebanon continue to be concerned about the regionalization of the war in Syria; and Iran puts Syria in play after the P5+1 meetings. Iraq
Iraqi 'Sahwa' Forces Elect New Leadership After years of Sunni divisions and a rapidly changing sectarian landscape in Iraq, Sahwa forces have elected a new leadership, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Baghdad and Iraqi Kurds On Edge in Tense Climate Relations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have worsened in advance of a visit by KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani to Baghdad to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Al-Qaeda Sees Opportunity In Iraq’s Sectarian Conflict As Sunni demonstrations and sectarian tensions throughout Iraq continue to escalate, al-Qaeda is focusing all its efforts on taking advantage of Sunni vulnerabilities, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Iraq and Russia Going Ahead With $4 Billion Arms Deal Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari confirmed that Baghdad will go ahead with the arms deal it signed with Russia in 2012, but is waiting on the budget approval to begin payment, reports Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq