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
Anbar Protesters Form Committee To Negotiate With Maliki Four months into their demonstrations, the protesters of Anbar have formed a committee to negotiate with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and enter the political process, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Maliki Takes Steps to Ease Political, Social Divisions in Iraq Following months of protests in Sunni-majority regions of Iraq, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has finally agreed to take steps to mitigate the crisis and listen to protesters’ demands, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Will Anbar Elections Go Ahead? Questions have been raised in Baghdad over the decision to postpone Anbar's provincial elections, and the decision may be reversed, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
After 10 Years of Iraqi Conflict, Only Kurds Emerge as Winners The Kurds of Iraq have been one of the few unequivocal winners from the U.S.-led invasion of 2003, with a greater role in politics and a burgeoning economy, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Iraq Aims to Increase Oil Output The Iraqi government has drawn up plans to increase the country’s oil production capabilities over the next decade, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Despite Boasts, Iraqi Security Fails to Stop al-Qaeda Attacks In light of the recent attack on the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, Mustafa al-Kadhimi argues that the country’s security services have not done enough to stop al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Iraq
Iraq's Sunni-Shiite Families Fear Renewed Sectarian Violence Iraq’s estimated 2 million mixed Sunni-Shiite families are worried that renewed sectarian violence could have a devastating effect on their daily lives, writes Bushra Al Mudhafar. Iraq
Obama Calls for Peace Talks Without Conditions Obama called on Palestinians to begin talks with Israel despite settlement activity; Iraq is on edge; and it's unclear if a Kurdish initiative and Netanyahu’s apology represent new trends in Turkish foreign policy. Palestine
Differences Deepen Between Iraqi Kurdish Parties Differences between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan are coming to the surface, Abdel Hamid Zebari writes. Iraq
The Iraq War Is Not Over Geoffrey Aronson writes that while the Iraq War may have ended for Americans, sectarian regional wars are being fought there and in Syria. Iraq
US, Iraq Seek to Boost Oil Sector Transparency Washington and Baghdad enter into an agreement to ensure greater transparency in the oil sector, reports Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr: Staying In Iraqi Government a 'Sin' A statement released by controversial Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr contains stinging criticism of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq