Exclusive US nears full withdrawal from Iraq as bases in Kurdistan Region face attacks from Iran, proxies Patriot air-defense systems that detect and shoot down incoming missiles and drones have already been removed, sources told Al-Monitor. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iraq's Zaidi cancels Riyadh visit after US-Saudi strikes Netanyahu lauds 'excellent' Trump meeting; Turkey detains another opposition mayor; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Zaidi cancels Riyadh trip after US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq The move comes after Riyadh joined Washington in targeting Iraqi militias, dealing a setback to Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab states. Iraq
Explainer Erdogan hosts Zaidi, touts ‘historic step’ in Turkey-Iraq energy ties The Turkish president outlined Ankara’s priorities with the new Iraqi government during the Iraqi leader’s first visit to Turkey: security, energy cooperation and the Development Road. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel’s Netanyahu to discuss Iran, Lebanon with Trump By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Multiple US troops dead in Iraq after rocket strike A rocket attack on a US base in Iraq killed two US service members and prompted questions of whether it was a retaliatory act by Iran. Iraq
Some Iraqis rejecting coronavirus warnings The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has imposed a ban on communal worship in mosques because of the new coronavirus, but some people are ignoring the danger. Iraq
Rap becomes battle cry of Iraqi protests Rap music has exploded among young Iraqi protesters, who bring the music with them to energize their demonstrations. Iraq
Can protesters produce a political movement for elections? Iraqi activists and leaders of protests are working to form a political movement to participate in parliamentary elections. Iraq
Coronavirus damages Iraqi economy with fall in tourism, oil prices COVID-19 has harmed both the private and public sectors of the Iraqi economy. Iraq
Iraqi female activists launch women's magazine in Ninevah Plains Woman of Ninevah, a magazine that aims to give voice to women in the region, was launched on March 8, on International Women's Day. Iraq
Iraqi protesters stand firm, say corruption worse than coronavirus Many Iraqi protesters have chosen to continue their demonstrations despite the rapid spread of the virus, saying the country's political crisis is more dangerous than the disease. Iraq
Coronavirus sickens Turkish-Iraqi trade Turkey's decision to close its only border crossing with Iraq amid a spike in coronavirus cases there will deal a great blow to the country's economy, costing some $1 billion monthly. Iraq
Have Iraqi religious centers contributed to the spread of coronavirus? With the increase in the number of coronavirus victims in Iraq, the role of religious centers in curbing the spread of COVID-19 has come under scrutiny. Saudi Arabia
Iraq's Falcon Intelligence Cell wants to root out corruption The head of the Falcon Intelligence Cell, Abu Ali al-Basri, spoke to Al-Monitor about the lingering Islamic State presence in the country and discussed his idea of setting up a similar team to fight corruption. Iraq
Mountain couriers brave bullets along Iran-Iraq border As the economic crisis deepens in Iran, more people are risking their lives to earn money by transporting goods through the mountains of the Kurdistan region on the Iraq-Iran border. Iraq
Power vacuum in Iraq leads to threats from pro-Iran faction Pro-Iran factions in Iraq worry that they could lose their political sway, having failed to keep one prime minister in power, then failing in their attempt to replace him, as they recognize the next candidate could be selected from outside their political circle with the support of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite rivals. Iraq