Ancient, modern cultures still mingle in central Erbil's Ottoman masterpieces

Erbil's citadel and grand central market are living examples of the city's cultural heritage, which is both distinctly Ottoman and shaped by its local setting.

Iraq

Has Sadr lost the Iraqi street?

Iraqi populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, after playing to the hopes and grievances of everyday Iraqis, may be losing some of his following as he plays for advantage among Iraq's political factions.

Iraq

Iraq celebrates Valentine's Day with red balloons, slogans

Baghdad turned red on Valentine's Day with celebrations of love, defying Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to separate men and women in the rallies.

Iraq

Iraqi prime minister-designate faces pressure on Cabinet choices

Political pressure on the prime minister-designate, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, could bring him down before he even forms a government.

Iraq

Iraqi protests blush pink as feminists flood streets

As hardline clerics rail against women attending the nationwide protests in Iraq, feminists held rallies in Baghdad, Nasiriyah and other cities in support of women's participation as well as the ongoing protest movement.

Iraq

Pentagon tit-for-tat with Iran goes on

A Katyusha rocket strikes an Iraqi base where US troops are housed and the US Navy intercepts an apparent Iranian arms shipment for Yemeni rebels as the conflict between the United States and Iran and its proxies continues.

Yemen

Controversial new law could make Iraq's early elections late

Iraq's parliament passed a new elections law in December in response to massive protests, but the law hasn't been sent to the president for his approval.

Iraq

New Jersey woman takes on traffickers in Iraq's Kurdistan region

The Kurdistan Regional Government, with the help of a former US State Department official, is fighting human trafficking.

Iraq

Who are Sadr's Blue Hats in Iraq and what side are they on?

Prominent Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has kept his "Blue Hats" busy, calling on followers to change direction, often with his political whims.

Iraq

Trump budget spotlights Tunisia in pitch to overhaul foreign military aid

The State Department is dangling potential US aircraft sales to Tunisia as part of its pitch to overhaul foreign military aid.

Iraq

Intel: Iraq likely to continue importing Iranian natural gas under US waiver renewal

Iraqi officials have indicated that the United States is likely to renew a key Iran sanctions waiver that will allow Baghdad to continue importing Iranian natural gas to fuel its electricity needs.

Iraq

Will Iraq's new PM pass on forming government?

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi is under great pressure from the protesters to withdraw from the position, opening the space for a candidate acceptable from all sides.

Iraq