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 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
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
Electrical towers again become targets in Iraq Iraq's transmission towers are increasingly the target of bombings. Iraq
Iraq moves to protect state property The Iraqi government launched a campaign to remove encroachments in Iraq, which is more likely to anger political parties and armed groups whose huge influence has allowed their supporters to encroach on state-owned land. Iraq
Iraq recovers thousands of smuggled artifacts for national museum The visit of the Iraqi prime minister to Washington led to the recovery of thousands of smuggled artifacts, including the Assyrian Gilgamesh tablet, leading the premier to announce the reopening of the Iraqi National Museum. Iraq
Family feud in Iraqi Kurdish party may undercut election chances A dispute between the son of the founder of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the party's former leader, and his cousin might reduce the chances of victory in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Iraq
Feud between Iraqi Sunni leaders could undercut bloc ahead of elections Speaker of parliament and leader of the Advancement alliance Mohammed al-Halbusi has accused the leader of al-Azm alliance, Khamis al-Khanjar, of selling Sunni land. Iraq
Violence down in Syria’s al-Hol camp but conditions remain 'horrifying' The Islamic State has been smuggling boys out of displacement camps to train in the Syrian desert. Iraq
Family power grab in Iraqi Kurdistan raises fears of intra-Kurdish violence Talabanis strip their cousin of all powers amid a power struggle in the Kurdistan Regional Government's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Party. Iraq
Taliban victory in Afghanistan could inspire terrorists, armed groups throughout Middle East There are increasing reports of foreign jihadist fighters in Afghanistan. Iraq
Middle East economic outlook hinges on vaccinations Five countries to watch: Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Oman. Egypt
Iraq-US strategic dialogue divides anti-US groups in Iraq The recent strategic dialogue talks between Iraq and the United States have divided anti-US groups in Iraq, as some welcome the results of the dialogue and others reject it and ask for full US withdrawal from Iraq. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan water crisis blamed on climate and Iran Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government has asked citizens to ration water. Iraq
Iraq faces a new wave of COVID-19 cases amid great challenges The Iraqi Ministry of Health worries that too many Iraqis are disregarding public health guidance and refusing to get vaccinated. Iraq