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
Turkey’s misguided policies now haunt it at Mosul Turkey criticizes the Mosul operation but is doing everything possible to be part of it. Iraq
Mosul adds to staggering world refugee crisis With the highest number of refugees and displaced people since World War II and continued brutal conflicts in Syria, Iraq and beyond forcing millions to flee, humanitarians lament a broken system running from crisis to crisis. Iraq
How Ankara plans to repeat Syria success in Iraq Ankara seems to have contingency plans for every situation to make its presence felt in Mosul. Iraq
Can Iraq curb corruption among customs officials? Corruption on Iraq's borders is robbing the government of the customs income its budget depends on. Iraq
Will Iraq boycott Turkey? As tension escalates between Iraq and Turkey regarding the battle to rid Mosul of the Islamic State, Iraqi politicians call for boycotting Turkish products. Iraq
Erdogan claims Turkey prepping for Mosul action Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to keep troops near Mosul and says preparations for Turkish role "in the field" are underway. Iraq
Turkey hasn't given up on role in Mosul battle While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fumes at Baghdad for excluding Turkey from the operation to liberate Mosul, Ankara has sent a team to the Iraqi capital to continue negotiating a role for Turkey. Iraq
Police overwhelmed as drugs from Iran flood Basra Iraqi police are unable to keep up with increasing drug smuggling from Iran, and Basra, the hardest-hit province, has neither a rehabilitation center for drug addiction nor the resources to prosecute drug-trafficking gangs. Iraq
Religious minorities find protection, support in southern Iraq While some Iraqi minority populations are suffering persecution by extremists in the northern and western regions, others are enjoying freedom and resources in central and southern Iraq, where the government contributes to building and maintaining their holy places. Iraq
Erdogan not backing down on Turkish role in Mosul Turkey’s demand seen as challenge to United States and Iran, as well as Iraq; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls Hillary Clinton a "political novice" for remarks on Syrian Kurds; ultranationalist group dominates Turkish security services. Iraq
Health crisis in the making as doctors flee Iraq As a brain drain in the health sector and the war against IS continue, Iraq is facing a health crisis. Iraq
US Treasury official praises Saudi cooperation against terror funding Assistant Treasury Secretary Daniel Glaser says there has been substantial progress reducing funds amassed by the Islamic State, but warns that IS could seek external financing if it loses its "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria. Saudi Arabia