Interview Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor. Masrour Barzani KRG Prime Minister
Exclusive Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran Riyadh is pressing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to act against the groups behind attacks on the kingdom as Baghdad struggles to balance ties with Tehran and Washington. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know Abu Jihad al-Muhajir is the highest-profile alleged Islamic State official captured by Syrian government forces since US troops withdrew from the country in April. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation. Jordan
US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Pentagon partners with Germany on Tunisia border security The Pentagon is sending nearly $20 million in high-tech help to the North African country as civil war rages in neighboring Libya. Libya
Pentagon stops budgeting for peshmerga salaries The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2019 budget doesn’t specifically dedicate payments for Iraq’s Kurdish fighting force after it stepped back from the front lines of the fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
Russia calls on Jordan to help stabilize Syrian 'safe' zones Jordan has been moving closer to Russia since Moscow gave it a growing role in Syria, a role that could include acting as a buffer there between Iran and Israel. Jordan
Pentagon seeks massive boost in bomb budget for Iraq, Syria The Defense Department wants $1.8 billion for precision-guided munitions to finish wiping out the Islamic State. Iraq
International pressure on Israeli settlements renews push for US anti-boycott laws Pro-Israel advocates trying to fight boycotts of Israel's settlements face a new urgency as the UN turns its spotlight on the West Bank, but legal challenges to federal and state laws are creating significant hurdles. Palestine
Animosity toward US uniting Turkey, Russia, Iran in Syria A loose alliance between Turkey, Russia and Iran in Syria is fraught with tensions driven by developments on the ground, but the three remain united in their desire not to provide advantage to the United States. Syria
Pentagon budget retains same troop levels in Iraq, Syria The Donald Trump administration’s new budget for the Pentagon leaves in place nearly 6,000 US troops in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
Will removal of Egypt's spy chief leave Palestinians in a bind? Some Palestinians are concerned that the dismissal of the head of the Egyptian intelligence will affect Egypt's ability to mediate their ongoing reconciliation process. Palestine
Despite defeat of IS, Syria war risks major power conflict The United States and Russia should abandon "proxy wars" and back a new UN Security Council resolution for a regional peace conference. Israel
Pentagon plays down Russian influence in Syria after clash with US-backed forces Secretary of Defense James Mattis insisted that Moscow had little control over Syrian troops that attacked US allies; Mattis also dismissed fears that the United States is getting dragged into another Middle East war. Syria
US support for Kurds in Iraq, Syria unaffected by tensions with Turkey The Pentagon is standing by Kurdish fighters in Iraq and Syria despite growing political pressure to back off, according to a government audit. Iraq
Military audit confirms US tanks ended up with Iran-backed militias The US effort to assess Iraq’s military capabilities is plagued by weak oversight, an inspector general report found. Iraq
