How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy. Syria
IMF slashes Mideast outlook by nearly 3 points as Iran war hits economies The International Monetary Fund cut gross domestic product forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa, with the fallout from the conflict exposing stark divergences between the region’s energy exporters and importers. Iran
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia summon Iraqi diplomats over militia attacks: What to know The United States and Kuwait have likewise criticized Iraq over actions tied to Iran-backed armed groups in the country. Iraq
Exclusive 'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release Officials say Faiq Zaidan leveraged his influence with Iran-backed militias to help secure the US journalist’s release, underscoring his outsized power in Iraq’s fractured political landscape. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis How fast can Gulf energy production rebound after US-Iran ceasefire? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Kuwait asks citizens to leave Iraq amid Baghdad unrest Protests are happening throughout Iraq following cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's announcement declaring he has given up on politics. Legacy: Gulf
Iran-linked attacks on US forces in Syria rekindle Iraq border concerns Tit-for-tat attacks by US and Iran-linked forces in eastern Syria have raised regional tension levels and questions about Iraq’s control of its western border and an area long controlled by Kataib Hezbollah in the center of the country. Iraq
KRG responds to Baghad's threat of legal action over oil dispute The federal Iraqi government argues that the autonomous region’s independent oil deals are unconstitutional. Iraq
Iraqi PM warns security forces to stay out of political conflicts The Iraqi judiciary resumed its work the day after powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his supporters to withdraw from the Supreme Judicial Council. Iraq
Middle East is building a big lead in global hydrocarbon investments Gerald Kepes In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends
Sadrist protesters withdraw from Iraq's Judiciary after condemnation Sadrist protesters stormed the Judiciary this morning, raising concerns over stability in Iraq. Iraq
Iraq's prime minister attends Arab summit in Egypt’s New Alamein Leaders of Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain met today in Egypt's New Alamein city to discuss regional security and cooperation. Iraq
Will Iraq's Sunnis, Kurds support early elections? Iraq’s Sunni and Kurdish forces are closely watching developments between the Sadrist movement and the Coordination Framework, so as to take a political position on whether to dissolve parliament and hold early elections. Iraq
Kadhimi hosts national dialogue of Iraqi leaders to end political deadlock Iraqi political leaders joined today to discuss a roadmap for ending current political crisis, as part of an initiative for national dialogue, with all major parties except the Sadrists represented. Iraq
Syria, Iraq form joint business council Relations between Syria and Iraq were poor in the 20th century but have gradually improved in the security and economic spheres in recent years. Syria
Iraqi finance minister resigns over continuing political crisis Finance Minister Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi has resigned from his post in the Iraqi government. Iraq
Weapons warehouse blasts frighten Iraqis Concerns over whether weapons held in and near urban areas are being properly stored — and who is holding them — are being raised after several blasts of unclear origins near major Iraqi cities. Iraq