Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know Iraq is sending the reinforcements in response to Iran-backed militia attacks and as it looks to build security ties with Riyadh. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatari PM heads for Tehran amid flurry of regional diplomacy US designates UK-based Palestine Action, two others as terror outfits; Iraq summons Iran envoy over 'Persian Gulf' post; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iraq summons Iran envoy over 'Persian Gulf' post, Baghdad name origins: What to know The move comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including over the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the controversially referenced gulf to the Arabian Sea. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Senate Democrats urge Israel to rein in West Bank violence Syria's Kurdish-led SDF dissolves; Iraq's Zaidi set to make European debut with Macron in France; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive Iraq's Zaidi set to make European debut with Macron in France By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran dismisses Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ threat By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iraqi spy chief discusses IS and intel cooperation Al-Monitor was granted an exclusive interview with the head of Iraq’s secretive counterterrorism intelligence unit, Abu Ali al-Basri. The Falcon Intelligence Cell director discussed what remains of the Islamic State, potential future risks and how the unit shares information with other countries. Iraq
Iraq seeks Iranian assistance to curb militias' reign Iraq's prime minister made a surprise visit to Tehran to request Iranian help in controlling Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Iraq
Syrians in Kurdish areas feel military service is unfair The Kurdish self-administration in Syria issued a new law forcing the youth to join military service. Iraq
Intel: Why 5 Democratic presidential hopefuls just rebelled against Trump’s new defense secretary An overwhelming bipartisan majority of the Senate voted 90-8 Tuesday to confirm former Army Secretary Mark Esper as President Donald Trump’s new defense secretary. Saudi Arabia
Special operations forces reflect on lessons of terror fight The Pentagon’s command for elite special operations forces is assessing how repeated deployments to the Middle East during the war on terror have impacted the forces' core values. Iraq
Kurdish officials in Iraq await fallout from Turkish diplomat's death Iraqi Kurdistan authorities are concerned about the potential political, economic and security impacts of the recent killing of a Turkish diplomat in Erbil. Iraq
Former government spokesman tapped as KRG foreign relations head A diplomat loyal to the Barzani family has been chosen as head of the KRG's Department of Foreign Relations. Iraq
Why this political movement is turning its back on the Iraqi PM Ammar al-Hakim's National Wisdom Movement, which once supported Adel Abdul Mahdi for the premiership, has turned against the prime minister, organizing protests against his government. Iraq
How Russian business could shape Mideast's future security architecture Russia has been engaged in the Levantine oil and gas sectors for some time, but now Moscow could use that foothold to help build lasting security in the region. Iraq
US hits back at Iran in Iraq as tensions rise The United States is targeting pro-Iranian politicians and militants in Iraq. Iraq
Special Forces face down impacts of war on terror The Pentagon’s Special Operations Command is planning to study the impacts of the 17-year war on terror in the Middle East on the force. Near East
Intel: US drone shootdown sparks more Gulf tension US President Donald Trump said today that the United States destroyed an Iranian drone that came within 1,000 yards of an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense officials told CNN the drone was brought down today by electronic jamming. Iraq
