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 Kurds still deadlocked over new government Iraqi Kurdish political parties remain in a stalemate over the formation of a new regional government, six months after parliamentary elections were held in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
Iraq’s homeless suffer from neglect, exploitation Homeless people in Iraq are often neglected by the state, and some armed groups take advantage of their situation to try to recruit them. Iraq
Sufi music makes comeback in Iraq Although Western influences have transformed the music scene in Iraq in recent decades, leading to a focus on fast beats and pop music, a number of Iraqis are trying to revive popular interest in traditional Sufi songs. Iraq
Iraq civil activists fight to preserve constitutional rights Despite the civil rights safeguarded by the Iraqi constitution, conservative political parties have been increasing restricting citizens’ freedoms in recent years. Iraq
Syrian Kurds blame Iran, Turkey for ISIS attacks Syria's main Kurdish force, the Democratic Union Party, says that the ISIS battle with Syrian Kurdish groups is benefiting the Syrian government. Iraq
Iraqi judiciary accused of bias, failure Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is accused of using the judiciary to fight his political opponents. Iraq
Iraq-Saudi ties need strategic context While Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has accused Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorist groups, Baghdad should instead work on establishing effective channels of communication to cooperate in anti-terror efforts. Saudi Arabia
ISIS shifts tactics in Fallujah Local fighters in Fallujah opting for reconciliation with the Iraqi government may have forced the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) to change strategy. Iraq
Ayatollah Sistani for Nobel Peace Prize? Iraqi Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who has been increasingly critical of the Iraqi government, is getting support for a bid for Nobel Peace Prize. Iraq
Iraqi Shiite militants return from Syria, aggravating security crisis Some Iraqis now worry that Shiite militants who are fighting alongside the regime in Syria will eventually return to Iraq once the Syrian crisis is over, a situation some fear might aggravate the security situation in Iraq. Iraq
Disqualified candidates spark controversy in Iraq Newly issued judicial decisions, which prevent certain persons from running in the upcoming elections due to outstanding lawsuits against them, have caused a heated debate in Iraq. Iraq
Maliki, parliament in legal battle over budget As the debate over the general budget continues in the Iraqi parliament, the government has gone to the judiciary for permission to disburse funds allocated to operating expenses. Iraq