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
International financial alliance forms to help Iraq Several countries are forming an economic alliance to help Iraq in its financial crisis. Iraq
France signs financing agreement with UN to support Iraqi elections The UN-France deal supports Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission ahead of early elections slated for next summer. Iraq
Iraq, Saudi Arabia agree to boost ties A high-level Saudi delegation visited Baghdad to sign several economic and investment agreements in order to create a balance between Iraq's neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi officials welcome Biden presidency While Iraqi leaders and officials have welcomed a Biden presidency, there are worries about what direction US policy will take when it comes to Baghdad. Iraq
Iraq’s camp closures could leave 100,000 homeless as winter looms The Norwegian Refugee Council said displaced Iraqis are being forced from their camps with little notice. Iraq
Suspected Islamic State gunmen kill 11 at military post outside Baghdad Initial reports suggest the attack is the largest against Iraqi security forces in months. Iraq
'How Does a Detonator Work?' Portland man indicted for publishing Islamic State newsletter Hawazen Sameer Mothafar allegedly helped IS with social media and published articles online that encouraged jihadi attacks. Iraq
Russia, Iraq face OPEC+ cuts, look to new deals While Iraq's dependence on imported Iranian electricity continues to worry Washington, the key to breaking this energy dependence lies in the development of its own gas fields. Iraq
Netflix to show first movie about Iraq battle against Islamic State in Mosul “Mosul,” an Iraqi film production on one of the stories of the battle to liberate the city, is set to be shown on Netflix this month. Iraq
Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq accuses PKK of attacks The Kurdistan Regional Government condemned an apparent Kurdistan Workers Party attack on peshmerga soldiers in Dahuk province; the KRG and the PKK had a turf dispute earlier this year. Iraq
Drug smuggling, abuse on the rise in Iraq Iraq suffers from the flow of drugs from neighboring countries, especially Iran, through the marshes and other border crossings, and the spread among the youth has become a threat to society. Iraq
Islamic State resurfaces with attacks in Iraq’s Diyala province The Islamic State's gruesome killing of a sheikh and some of his relatives by rigging his corpse with explosives has led to security concerns in the multiethnic region bordering Iran, long a hotbed for extremism and susceptible to sectarianism. Iraq
