Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know Two other candidates have emerged as alternatives to Coordination Framework nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is openly opposed by the Trump administration. Iraq
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 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
Egypt agrees to help Iraq recover looted antiquities The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced its readiness to cooperate with Iraq in recovering its stolen and looted antiquities, especially from Turkey, where the looted Iraqi artifacts are displayed in museums. Egypt
Iraqi Kurdish officials call Iran's Soleimani film 'insult' to Peshmerga Peshmerga that fought on the front lines against the Islamic State see the film as an "insult and belittling the role of Peshmergas." Iraq
Iraq's reform budget heads to parliament Parliament is debating the 2021 budget, which is the first budget drafted based on the White Paper for economic reform. Iraq
Will Turkish defense minister’s Iraq visit yield concrete results? Although Turkey's defense minister seems to be satisfied with the outcome of his recent visit to Baghdad and Erbil, there are several impediments to Turkey's security demands. Iraq
Iraqi PM vows security changes after Baghdad bombing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi also sacked a number of Iraqi security officials within hours of the attacks. Iraq
Dozens killed in Baghdad suicide bombings It is unclear who was behind the twin attacks in a crowded part of Baghdad. Such incidents are less common in the Iraqi capital than they were in years prior. Iraq
Iraq’s general elections pushed to October The added time shores up Baghdad’s preparations for a more legitimate election process; but time is running out for protesters who fear the government will ignore their demands. Iraq
Iraqi parties scramble ahead of new October election date The High Electoral Commission’s need for additional time to update constituents' records requires that the government postpone early elections until October, while political parties publicly oppose the new date and secretly support it. Iraq
Iraq approves Paris climate accord in step toward curtailing oil dependence Iraq faces significant hurdles in transitioning to an economy without oil dependence, and future trends can be expected to exacerbate those challenges. Iraq
Iraqi port revenue surges as anti-corruption move bears fruit Iraq’s key Umm Qasr Port has been positively affected by measures to reduce corruption, leading to a massive revenue increase in 2020 despite fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for the massive, nearby Faw Port and an electronic system being put in place may also serve to shore up state coffers and reduce those of “outlaw” groups. Iraq
US labels deputy head of Iraq’s PMU a terrorist The United States accused Abu Fadak of involvement in kidnappings and of attempting to align Iraq's security institution's with Iran's foreign policy. Iraq
Iran offers to help Iraq reconstruct damaged archaeological masterpiece Iran has expressed interest in helping repair the Taq Kasra, the remains of a pre-Islamic Persian palace in Iraq with a historically significant archway. Iraq
