Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him. Iraq
Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him. Iraq
Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know Two other candidates have emerged as alternatives to Coordination Framework nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is openly opposed by the Trump administration. Iraq
How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy. Syria
Exclusive 'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis How fast can Gulf energy production rebound after US-Iran ceasefire? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
German woman 'kidnapped' in Baghdad Baghdad-based artist Hella Mewis was reportedly abducted while riding her bike Monday evening. Iraq
Iraqi PM visits Islamic State hotbed after sniper kills general The Iraqi prime minister stressed unity in Tarmiyah, where the Islamic State claims responsibility for killing the general. Iraq
Mosul sowing seeds post-Islamic State The Mosul local government in cooperation with civil society is undertaking a project to plant a million trees in Mosul. Iraq
Zarif's visit to Baghdad foreshadows Iraqi PM's trips to Iran and Saudi Arabia In today's Iran media review, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Iraq for the first time since Iran’s former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was assassinated by the United States in January. Iraq
Iraq struggles to maintain power balance The Iraqi government is trying hard to reduce tensions in the country and maintain a power balance between regional and international forces in order to initiate its reform plan. Iraq
Closing borders due to COVID-19 revives Iraqi agriculture Iraq's agriculture sector has been revived in the past few months, after the government closed its borders and banned the import of agricultural produce as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak. Iraq
Iraq to reopen airports this month The country is still registering around 2,000 COVID-19 cases per day, close to its highest-ever daily toll. Iraq
Intel: US squeezes Islamic State’s cash flow with new sanctions The United States and six other countries imposed fresh sanctions today on half a dozen targets accused of helping fund the operations of the Islamic State (IS or ISIS), including by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to the group’s leaders in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
Virus survivors rake in cash for plasma on Iraq’s black market Recovered coronavirus patients in Iraq are selling their blood plasma for $2,000 per liter on the black market as health leaders watch in dismay. Iraq
Cairo cozies up to Baghdad, condemns Turkish attacks in Iraq Egypt's efforts to sideline Turkey in Iraq have expanded as Cairo cements economic and military ties with Baghdad. Egypt
PMU pitches in as COVID cases surge in Iraq Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, including those of populist cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, have plugged gaps in Iraq’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as cases surge and well-known fighters fall ill. Iraq
Intel: CENTCOM commander says Soleimani strike won’t deter Iran forever The top commander of US military forces in the Middle East says he believes the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani has only temporarily deterred Iran from pursuing its goal of pushing US troops out of the region. Iraq
