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Iraq

January 14, 2026

Baghdad 7:21 pm

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Sadaf Ebrahimi walks down a row of demonstrators at Lafayette Park in front of the White House during the "Free Iran" rally on Jan 10, 2026, in Washington.

Analysis

Trump dials up risky Iran tariffs that would hit China, UAE and others: What to know

Any country trading with Iran now faces a 25% tariff, per the White House, but the move is unlikely to ratchet up pressure on Tehran in the short term.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026.

From Iraq to Yemen, how Iran proxies are responding to protests

Iraqi militias and the Houthis are growing more vocal in their defense of Iran amid the protests sweeping the country, while Hezbollah and Palestinian groups are remaining relatively quiet.

Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

Sharaa tells Iraq's Barzani Kurds integral to Syria amid fears of Aleppo spillover

More than 140,000 people have been displaced by fighting between Syrian government and Kurdish forces in Aleppo and the situation has captured the attention of Kurdistan Region and federal government leaders in neighboring Iraq.

The Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune is docked at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela, on May 25, 2020.

Analysis

Venezuelan crisis unlikely to impact MENA crude exporters in short term

Oil prices inched up on Monday as global oversupply concerns outweighed output disruption fears over the upheaval in Venezuela.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Latest News

Analysis

After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government?

Armoured vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025, after an announcement by a US official the previous day that staff levels at the diplomatic mission in Iraq were being reduced over security concerns. Despite reporting progress in earlier rounds of talks between Iran and the United States, tensions have reached a fever pitch this week as Washington moved non-essential staff from bases in the region following US medi

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Syria seizes anti-aircraft missiles near Iraqi border: What to know

Syria's security directorate in al-Bukamal seized SAM-7 missiles being prepared for smuggling into Iraq, on Dec. 22, 2025.

Analysis

What Turkey wants from Iraq to renew pipeline deal

A worker turns a valve at the Shirawa oil field, where oil was first pumped in Iraq in 1927, outside the northern city of Kirkuk, Jan. 19, 2004.

David O'Byrne

By David O'Byrne

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Andrew Parasiliti

President and Chief Content Officer

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi shakes hands with his supporters during election campaign in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq April 25, 2018. Picture taken April 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed - RC19D5B12000

Is Iraqi PM counting on Sunni, Kurdish votes for re-election?

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appears to be counting on Sunni and Kurdish votes to win the next election, with visits to traditional Kurdish and Sunni strongholds.

Candidates' past ties to Saddam create uproar in Iraq's Kurdistan Region

Despite the Kurdistan Regional Government's strong rhetoric against Saddam Hussein and his collaborators, several Kurdish figures who worked with the former Iraqi president's Baath regime are participating in the upcoming elections.

Iraqi air force targets IS sites in Syria ahead of elections

Despite earlier opposition to any Iraqi military intervention in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the air force to strike Islamic State sites in Syria for the second time this year.

Will Iraqi elections avoid traditional sectarian divides?

While the May 12 elections include Shiite candidates running in predominantly Sunni areas and vice versa, Iraqis are divided over whether or not this represents a step toward overcoming sectarian divides.

Iraqi calligraphers try to revive their art

Iraq's recently liberated Anbar province hosted an Islamic calligraphy festival to return the craft to the cultural and artistic forefront.

Moscow’s Iraq strategy: Make lots of friends

Russia’s approach in Iraq and the region involves comprehensive cooperation with as many players as possible.

Turkey woos Iraqi provincial leaders to rekindle relations

Ankara hopes its diplomatic efforts in the Shiite-dominated southern provinces of Iraq will improve Turkey's political standing with Baghdad.

Iraq's top Shiite cleric denounces militias' electoral list

The electoral coalition of the Popular Mobilization Units has come under criticism from Iraqi's highest Shiite religious leader for invoking the group's military victories for electoral gain.

Preparations in place for Iraqi parliamentary elections

Iraqi election officials are keeping a close eye on the voting process this week, as some clerics and activists raise concerns about possible corruption and critics question the reliability of the country's new electronic voting system.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC122DCA3BC0

Saudi Arabia, Iran vie for economic influence in Iraq

Saudi Arabia is seeking to enter the Iraqi market aggressively, along with a political presence, and increase the competition with its opponent Iran in the Iraqi arena.

A U.S. soldier from the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division stands guard at a military base north of Mosul, Iraq, February 14, 2017. Picture taken February 14, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RC1D165D9880

Pentagon blows deadline to pry Iraq off US military aid

The Donald Trump administration will continue to foot the bill for rebuilding Iraq’s defense institutions amid rising Iranian influence.

Iraq's Yazidis resume pilgrimages to sacred temple

Thousands of Yazidis have returned to observe the Yazidi New Year in Lalish, where they gather olives and firewood to perform religious duties in the temple.