Congress threatens to cut payments to Iraqi Kurds if they break with Baghdad

The House defense bill makes continued peshmerga funding contingent on participation in a “unified Iraq.”

Iraq

Mosul residents divided over 'burqa ban'

First the Islamic State and now security restrictions on wearing the full face veil, or niqab, have women and others in Mosul reassessing their perceptions of the practice.

Iraq

Iraq's Kurds question motives behind independence vote

Opponents of the Iraq Kurdistan referendum on independence question the real agenda behind the Kurdistan Democratic Party's push for the vote.

Iraq

Iraq outlines plans to rebuild country, inspire tolerance

Iraqi officials say they are ready to reconstruct the country and heal the populace devastated by the Islamic State.

Iraq

Iraq’s PM concludes tightrope regional tour

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's tour — which spanned Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait — aimed to maintain regional balances amid discussions on post-IS preparations and regional aid to Iraq.

Saudi Arabia

Kurds reaching critical juncture in US partnership

The United States and Kurds currently share a partnership of convenience in Syria, but Kurds are looking ahead warily to the role they might be asked to play as US policy evolves.

Saudi Arabia

Islamic parties intimidate, fear atheists in Iraq

Islamic parties in Iraq have intensified their rhetoric against atheists, with one prominent cleric calling for them to be confronted with an "iron fist."

Iraq

Recapture of Iraq-Syria border point heralds new regional reality

The move by the Iraqi and Syrian governments to link the forces under their command along their border is a new reality on the ground.

Iraq

Civilians face death, hunger in western Mosul

Civilians and particularly children in areas that are still under control of the Islamic State live in very difficult situations, facing death, hunger and illness.

Iraq

LGBT community struggles for recognition, rights in Iraqi Kurdistan

Due to the strong conservative culture in Iraqi Kurdistan, the LGBT community faces a difficult situation, but there are some signs of growing acceptance.

Iraq

Pioneering program makes aerial survey of Iraqi antiquities

Iraq, in cooperation with UNESCO, has conducted a comprehensive aerial survey of archaeological sites in Ninevah province to prepare for repairing and maintaining the sites.

Countries

For many of Iraq's Yazidis, going home is not an option

Although Sinjar has mostly been liberated from the Islamic State, the traumatized Yazidi community remains largely displaced and reluctant to return home to where the suffering began.

Iraq