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
Iraq War Lessons, a Decade Later Iraq's embrace of democracy since the 2003 war has set the stage for sectarian politics and instability by heightening internal tensions and inviting outside interference in times of crisis, writes Nassif Hitti. Iraq
Al-Qaeda in Iraq Targets Baghdad's Green Zone Al-Qaeda in Iraq has increased its violent attacks to exploit the political and sectarian turmoil gripping the nation, focusing on the Green Zone in Baghdad, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Region Showcases Culture on Nowruz In light of the relative autonomy the Iraqi Kurdistan region has gained over the years, the region has begun to showcase its own unique culture through events like its annual Nowruz festival, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Iraq: Mixed Legacy In Saddam's Hometown Tikrit, Saddam Hussein’s hometown, has paid dearly for its association to the former dictator, with residents feeling isolated and marginalized from the Iraqi political process, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
New Iraqi Budget Deepens Housing Crisis Iraq’s most disadvantaged residents continue to suffer from a housing shortage, as the government’s 2013 budget has decreased allocations for home loans, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraqi Politicians Stoke Flames Of Religious Sectarianism Ten years after the American-led invasion of Iraq, the fabric of Iraqi society appears to be more frayed than ever, as politicians exploit renewed sectarian sentiments for personal gain, reports Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr Lashes Out Against US, Maliki Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has recently adopted methods used by his Lebanese counterpart Hassan Nasrallah, as Sadr mobilizes his supporters to protest against foreign powers and tyrannical regimes, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Maliki Re-Elected as Head Of Dawa Party Under an almost full media blackout, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was re-elected as head of the Dawa Party for the third time, in what may mark the beginning of his battle to win a third prime ministerial term, Mushreq Abbas reports. Iraq
What Russia Learned From the Iraq War Moscow believes that "strategic insanity" has taken hold in Washington since the Iraq war, based upon the erosion of the pillars of regional stability and its flirtation with Islamists, writes Fyodor Lukyanov. Iraq
Iraqi Judiciary Fails Rape Victims Incidents of rape are not receiving much attention in Iraq, as political divisions and protests take center stage in the country’s media, reports Bushra Al Mudhafar. Iraq
Suicide Attack Targets 'Symbol of Justice' in Iraq The March 14 suicide attack on the Ministry of Justice has only heightened tensions in an already divided Iraq, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Disappointment for the 'New Iraq' Ten years after the end of Saddam Hussein's regime, many Iraqis feel disappointed that not much progress has been made, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq