Analysis After US exit, Iran gains space in Iraq and a harder balancing act For Iran, the easier part may have been getting Washington out, but it may now have to struggle turning the absence into durable influence and reviving its allied militias without provoking instability. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Trump’s integration policies build on Gulf, Turkey ties and Syria success Iran’s influence, and the potential for renewed conflict, complicate progress in Iraq. Iraq
Newsletter: Security What the US withdrawal means for Iraq The US withdrawal from Iraq shifts responsibility for the country’s security to Baghdad as Iran-backed militias remain outside the government’s full control. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iraq announces Iran flights to resume: What to know Iraqis protested the latest move aimed at pressuring Iran and an Iran-backed militia vowed a response if the flights do not come back. Iraq
Analysis Can Turkey’s Bashiqa withdrawal pave the way for deeper Iraq ties? By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis How militias in Anbar could complicate Iraq’s energy ambitions By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Xi, Trump set to talk Iran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US coalition in Iraq halts second drone attack in two days Coalition forces in Syria also hit back in response to rocket fire near al-Omar oilfield. Iraq
Iran’s support for Taliban pays off, but border remains problematic Exports from Iran to Afghanistan are increasing as border clashes and the smuggling of both people and drugs fosters instability. Iraq
Drones shot down in Baghdad on Soleimani death anniversary The thwarted attack came on the second anniversary of the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. Iraq
Combat mission of international coalition in Iraq has ended The Iraqi government has announcement the end of the international forces’ mission in the country, renewing controversy over the concept of resistance and the legitimacy of its weapons in a law-abiding democratic state. Iraq
Middle East elections had consequences in 2021 Elections in Israel, Iran and Iraq shook up status quo; Syria’s presidential contest a blow to the UN process; Libya and Palestine took a pass on elections, with consequences as well. News Brief
Child rape and security forces’ behavior spark outcry in Iraq Violent crimes perpetrated against Iraqi women and girls has led to outrage and renewed calls for women to have greater representation and decision-making opportunities in the country, as all-male government formation talks continue. Iraq
Certification of election results opens new chapter in Iraq’s political conflict Iraq's Federal Court has certified the recent election results, setting in motion the constitutional deadlines. Iraq
Basra governor tests the waters for the premiership The governor of Basra is moving between political blocs and high-level leaders in a bid to access the premiership, but the political landscape does not appear conducive for this. Iraq
Iraq urged to 'starve’ those profiting from rising drug trade An apparent increase in drug trafficking into the country from both its eastern and western borders, with fallout from instability in Afghanistan and 'mafia' groups in Syria as well as use of illicit substances in Iraq, has raised concern. Iraq
Iraq continues to kill, capture IS members as effectiveness questioned Iraqi security forces have captured and killed a number of key Islamic State facilitators and others in the past month amid a US mission transition and concerns over coordination. Iraq
Floods hit Kurdistan region as drought leaves many Iraqis in need Parts of northern Iraq have been hit by flooding after a year marked by drought, which many say is due to climate change likely to worsen in the coming years. Iraq
Iraqi Sunni parties compete for parliament speaker Two large Sunni coalitions, the Taqaddom alliance led by Muhammad al-Halbusi and the Azm alliance led by Khamis al-Khanjar, are competing for the position of parliament speaker. Iraq