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
Low Turnout in Iraqi Elections As most of Iraq’s provinces headed to the polls, low voter turnout, technical errors and some incidents of violence served as reminders of the issues still plaguing Iraqi society, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Child-Protection Laws On Table in Iraqi Kurdistan An innovative law protecting the rights of children and the disabled in Iraqi Kurdistan is to be considered by the regional government, reports Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Iraq's Legislative Crisis As political and social divisions deepen throughout Iraqi society, Mustafa al-Kadhimi calls attention to the legislative negligence that has allowed this worrying crisis to grow. Iraq
President's Absence Complicates Iraqi Politics As Iraqi President Jalal Talabani continues to undergo treatment in Berlin, Iraqi leaders are indecisive on how to proceed in his absence, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Open To Arab Investment New investment projects in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have led to a strengthening of ties with Arab states, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Currency Auctions by Iraq Bank Called Into Question The Central Bank of Iraq’s practice of auctioning US dollars has come under fire amid suspicion that the practice leads to money laundering and the channeling of dollars to Iran, reports Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Voter Turnout Uncertain For Iraqi Provincial Elections It is unclear what the turnout in the upcoming Iraqi provincial elections will be, with some predicting high voter turnout and others widespread apathy, writes Bushra Al Mudhafar. Iraq
Maliki Threatens Political Rivals As Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s opponents amplify their calls for a parliamentary hearing, he threatens to reveal which of them were involved in acts of terrorism, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Iraq Pays $300 Million To Terror Victims Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, violence in Iraq has produced innumerable victims in need of financial compensation, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraqi Provincial Elections Bring Wave of Violence, Assassination Sunni candidates in the upcoming Iraqi elections are being targeted in a recent spate of assassinations, reports Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Media War Begins Ahead of Iraqi Kurdistan Elections A media war is taking place ahead of regional elections in Iraqi Kurdistan, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Iraq Ports See Influx Of 'Mediocre Products' The authority in charge of Iraq’s southern ports has increased inspections on imports after it was revealed that the ports have become a "warehouse for mediocre products," reports Omar al-Shaher. Iraq