Iraq’s Sadr says 'exclude' armed groups from next government as pressure builds The cleric's call comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi tries to form a government amid political divisions and US demands to curb the influence of Iran-backed actors. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response US strikes and renewed exchanges in Hormuz cast doubt on the ceasefire as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to a new proposal. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence. Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iraqi women mostly absent from political scene Despite some gains made in recent decades, Iraqi women remain largely absent from the country’s political scene. Iraq
Iraq a hotbed of human trafficking Although the Iraqi government enacted a law criminalizing human trafficking in 2012, it's rarely if ever enforced. Iraq
Sistani silent so far on Anbar violence Iraqi Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani has remained silent regarding developments in Anbar, in line with his vision of a clear division between religious authorities and the state. Iraq
Has al-Qaeda found Zarqawi's successor? The emergence of Shaker Wahib, a young, charismatic field commander in the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), may be tied to the organization’s deeper goals. Iraq
Hakim launches political initiative to resolve Anbar crisis A new initiative by Ammar al-Hakim may succeed in solving the Anbar crises because it relies on more than security measures. Iraq
Nationalist themes co-opt Iraqi music, again Saddam Hussein took over Iraq’s cultural institutions to produce war propaganda songs, and a similar pattern is appearing today. Iraq
Lebanese cleric offers moderate vision in 'Shiite Charter' Moderate Shiite leaders from the region will soon issue a statement about a new vision of moderation. Iraq
The crisis of Iraqi 'democracy' Many in Iraq have grown to despise the concept of "democracy" over the last 10 years because of the country’s limited experience with it and their failure to build a true, consensual democracy. Iraq
Anbar Council calls for end to military siege by Iraqi government forces Local leaders in Anbar seek a local solution to the current crisis. Iraq
ISIS foreign fighters spur backlash in Iraq, Syria Many Sunni Iraqis and Syrians are fighting back against the foreign fighters and extreme practices of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Iraq
Iraq’s future uncertain as Anbar escalates Recent clashes in Anbar have made Iraq's future even more uncertain. Iraq
Iraq: Four armed groups fighting in Fallujah The fighting in Iraq’s Anbar province is complex, with forces belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), local tribes, al-Qaeda and assorted armed groups. Iraq