Russia's Kurdish dilemma

Russia seeks to place its Kurdish policies in the broader context of a changing Middle East.

Iraq

Iraqi army declares its control of Khalidiya

The Iraqi army declared that it has gained control of the Jazira area of Khalidiya, but maintaining that control will be a challenge.

Iraq

Former Iraq VP: Terrorism, political conflict behind Anbar crisis

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, former Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdul-Mahdi speaks about the Anbar crisis, Iranian influence in Iraq and his expectations for the upcoming elections.

Saudi Arabia

Anbar war opens front on Facebook, Twitter

As the battles in Anbar continue and sectarian tensions rise in Iraq, citizens from both sides have set up Facebook pages to gather supporters and present their views.

Iraq

Nonsectarian citizens isolated in Iraq

Amid increased sectarian tensions, those Iraqis who choose not to side with one sectarian group have found themselves targeted by many, including their own communities.

Iraq

Despite being illegal, sidewalk vendors thriving in Iraq

Because of their popularity, street vendors are thriving in Iraq in spite of government attempts to control them.

Iraq

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