Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies President Donald Trump emphasized Iraq’s “tremendous oil reserves” and possible deals with US companies. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran strikes tankers, US bases as Gulf conflict escalates Lebanon, Israel hold talks in Rome; Iraqi PM Zaidi to meet Trump; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow Iraq's new prime minister is in Washington promising business deals and closer ties with the United States, but convincing the Trump administration he can rein in Iran-backed militias may prove his toughest challenge. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route? On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatar says no direct Iran-US talks in Doha By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Maliki goes on offense as elections approach With Iraq’s parliamentary elections only days away, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has accused his adversaries of failing to take responsibility for their role in the current crises. Iraq
Sectarian discourse dominates Iraqi election politics Candidates in Iraq’s upcoming elections continue to engage in a sectarian, rather than, national discourse. Iraq
Maliki diversifies Iraqi electoral lists Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has diversified his electoral lists to have a larger share of the votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Iraq
Maliki’s State of Law Coalition wants majority government Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition is blaming current problems on the "partnership" government, worked out in a power-sharing arrangement in 2010. Iraq
Hakim-led Citizen Coalition could shake up Iraqi elections New coalitions of moderate religious and secular origins could bode well for Iraqi politics and shake up the April 30 elections. Iraq
Women prominent in coming Iraqi elections Unlike in past elections, many female candidates are running in the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month. Iraq
KRG trench divides Syrian, Iraqi Kurds The ditch dug by the Kurdistan Regional Government at Rojava, separating Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, adds another layer of complexity to the regional conflict. Iraq
Electoral race heats up among Iraq's Sunni factions While the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month approach, competition is fierce among Sunni blocs. Iraq
Iraqi elections: all talk, no walk Many political blocs have dismissed the Iraqi voter as unable to analyze complex and detailed political programs. Iraq
Sistani calls on Iraqi voters to 'choose wisely' Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has called on the Iraqi people to "choose wisely" in the coming elections, holding Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki responsible for problems in Iraq and opposing a third term for him. Iraq
Lebanon's Shiite seminaries split between tradition, modernity Although most Shiite seminaries in Lebanon still follow a traditional curriculum, a number of schools have begun to revise and develop their educational approaches. Iraq
Iraqi secularists under attack ahead of elections A religious leader with ties to the Islamic Dawa Party has issued a fatwa banning citizens from voting for secular candidates, as religious currents increasingly claim secular movements are tainted by links to the old regime of Saddam Hussein. Iraq