Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatar says no direct Iran-US talks in Doha Saudi FM visits Beijing; Iraq’s premier expands anti-corruption crackdown; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Here's what to know about Iraq's corruption as Zaidi launches crackdown Watchdogs and financial institutions regard Iraq as a significantly corrupt country as the new prime minister works to recover public funds. Iraq
Analysis Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias Iraq’s new prime minister has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign ahead of key talks in Washington, but analysts say the real test will be whether it reaches Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed actors. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Explainer After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC? Iraq is seeking a higher production quota as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has slashed oil revenues and plunged the country into a fiscal crisis. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Region welcomes US-Iran deal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive Barrack heads to Iraq as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Intel: HTS claims credit for death of Iraqi IS leader's brother Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has claimed responsibility for killing the brother of Hajj Taysir, an Iraqi Islamic State emir killed by the United States earlier this year. Iraq
Significant challenges face Kadhimi’s economic reform project The economic reform project that Mustafa al-Kadhimi's government is supposed to propose soon faces great challenges related to the need to get parliament’s approval before taking any step. Iraq
US shakes up Iraqi factions with reported warning on militias The Trump administration has warned Iraqi President Barham Salih that it could close its US Embassy in Baghdad if the militias' attacks against its bases and convoys continue. Iraq
Kadhimi follows through on promises to reform Iraq's security sector Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's recent appointments and reforms are likely to face resistance from some political blocs and armed groups who feel they are losing power. Iraq
Iran’s shadow looms large over southeastern Iraqi Kurdistan The recent bust of a major fraud and smuggling network at one of Iraqi Kurdistan's border crossings has drawn attention to the power wielded by Iran in that area, both on the local economy and on local water supplies due to dams built in recent years. Iraq
Iraq's Baath Party archive location unknown The United States last month shipped a historic archive of Baath regime documents to Iraq, but the government is keeping mum about its location and fate, given the political sensitivity of the documents. Iraq
Iraq cracks down on illegal arms flow to militias, armed groups Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government has launched a campaign in southern provinces to get illegal arms out of the hands of militias and tribal groups. Iraq
OPEC+ pressures Iraq, UAE to further cut oil production Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members held a virtual meeting with Russia and other allied oil producers today to discuss the continuing low price of oil amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi government steps up fight against corruption The arrest of six senior officials on corruption charges shows that serious steps are taken in the fight against corruption, amid calls that the government speeds up its reform program. Iraq
US gives Iraqi Kurdistan peshmerga $250 million worth of Humvees, ammo Washington's ambassador announced the move as some US troops prepare to leave Iraq. Iraq
Iraq, counter-IS coalition kill, capture Islamic State figures The US-led anti-IS coalition provided helicopter transport for the Iraqi raid in al-Rutba. Iraq
PKK under pressure in Iraq's Kurdistan Region Turkey is continuing its attacks on the Kurdistan Workers Party as a senior Iraqi Kurdish military official hints the group may be wearing out its welcome. Iraq