Exclusive 100 non-Syrian Kurds return to PKK’s Qandil stronghold under SDF-Damascus deal The transfer of non-Syrian PKK fighters to Iraq’s Qandil Mountains follows a US-brokered SDF-Damascus deal aimed at easing tensions and preserving Kurdish forces under national army oversight. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iraq’s Maliki rejects Trump criticism, vows to stay in PM race Maliki refused to withdraw from the race, despite mounting pressure from the US, and expressed a desire for good relations with Iraq’s neighbors and Washington. Iraq
How US-India trade deal could impact Mideast energy, trade routes The United States and India struck a trade agreement on Monday that eases months of tension between the two countries and could influence Gulf oil flows and economic integration. Saudi Arabia
Iraq's Shiite bloc holds talks with Kurds as deadlock on president, PM persists The Shiite-led Coordination Framework reiterated its support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Saturday, despite vocal criticism by US President Donald Trump of the former premier. Iraq
Analysis After Trump’s rebuke, can Maliki rebound in Iraq, or does Sudani become favorite? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Anti-Iran fever heats up as Iraq's political deadlock continues As Iran-backed groups block the formation of Iraq's next government, frustrated voices are getting louder about Iran's meddling. Iraq
US urges Iraqi government formation as stalemate drags on The deadlock has left Iraq without a new budget amid the economic uncertainty stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine. Iraq
Alliance blocks formation of new Iraqi government An Iran-backed minority alliance has caused delays, and the process of creating a new Iraqi government may take many months. Iraq
Turkey launches offensive against PKK targets in northern Iraq In a critically timed spring offensive, Turkey has hit dozens of targets associated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party and killed 19 fighters. Turkey
Islamic State uses dust storm as cover for desert attack on Iraqi soldiers An Islamic State cell operating in Iraq’s largely desert province of Anbar killed two Iraqi soldiers the day after an armed drone allegedly from Iran-linked armed groups was shot down at a major base hosting coalition forces in the same area. Iraq
Iran's new Iraq ambassador affiliated with Quds Force Iran appointed the country’s fourth ambassador to Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, and similar to his predecessors he is part of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iraq
Iraq's political deadlock: three scenarios Iraq's new parliament has failed to form a government and the political scene is stuck in a difficult deadlock, indicating that the crisis is likely to continue for a long time. Iraq
Attacks target US forces on both sides of Iraqi-Syrian border IRGC-linked armed groups are presumed to be behind attacks on bases hosting US-led coalition forces this week in both Iraq and Syria that resulted in minor injuries but no deaths. Iraq
Iran-linked militias torch KDP office, after IRGC strike on Erbil Tension is mounting between Iran-linked armed factions and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq after repeated attacks on the largest Kurdish party office in the capital and threats. Iraq
Culture Iraq reopens National Museum after thousands of smuggled artifacts return The Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad regains its cultural and tourist role and reopens with new exhibition halls displaying several artifacts that have not been exhibited before. Iraq
Report: oil production, profits stable in Iraqi Kurdistan There have been a series of notable energy developments in Iraq recently. Iraq
Russian invasion of Ukraine has sharp impact on Iraq's economy Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused shortages of food in Iraq and forced the government to pay more in gasoline subsidies, but the high price of crude oil plus sanctions on Russia has opened new opportunities for Iraq. Iraq