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Iraq

September 20, 2026

Baghdad 3:03 am

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Explainer

From Maysan to Saudi Arabia, drone attack puts Iraqi province under scrutiny

Officials have been removed but worsening problems need to be addressed in militia stronghold bordering Iran, local residents and observers say.

A man walks past a mural depicting oil pumps and the Venezuelan flag, with portraits of Venezuelan independence leader Simon Bolivar (L) and former late President Hugo Chavez (R), in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sept. 3, 2026.

Analysis

Could Trump’s oil push in Venezuela upend OPEC’s energy order?

Washington’s growing role in controlling the Latin American country's crude riches could help reshape an energy order centered on OPEC as the Hormuz crisis pressures Gulf exports.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

After gun found in lake, French police probe link to 2012 Iraqi family murder

A recently discovered Luger pistol may have been used in the mysterious 2012 killing of the al-Hilli family near the Alpine town of Chevaline in eastern France.

AFP via Getty Images

Iraq sentences kidnapper of US journalist Shelly Kittleson to 15 years: What to know

The first sentencing in relation to Shelly Kittleson’s abduction comes as Iraq moves to rein in Iran-backed militias.

Latest News

Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know

Iraqi army troops patrol the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border

Iraq summons Iran envoy over 'Persian Gulf' post, Baghdad name origins: What to know

Fred TANNEAU / AFP via Getty Images

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

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo holds a news conference at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir - RC26FD9J436K

Pompeo urges Iranians to expose regime abuses

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Iranians to continue sending messages exposing the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on recent widespread protests.

An Iraqi soldier is seen at the Iraqi-Syrian border, after it has been reopened for trade and travel, in Al Qaim, Iraq September 30, 2019. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RC1BBBE58A40

Amid ongoing unrest, Iraq refuses to receive IS detainees from Syria

Though Iraq previously said it would receive and prosecute foreign Islamic State fighters from Syria, it has now rescinded its offer.

Iraqi demonstrators are seen near Iraqi security forces during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq November 25, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily - RC2GID9PZRKP

Iraqi government responds to protests by digging in

After nearly two months of protests in Iraq, the government is using excessive force on demonstrators and not giving in to their demands.

Protests spread in oil-rich Basra as death toll rises

Deadly protests in Iraq’s southern economic hub and its nearby key commodities port continue amid concern that actual casualty figures are higher than reported. Several protesters were killed Nov. 24 near the port.

IS designates Turkey as its next base

The Islamic State has selected Turkey as its next base to reorganize, recruit and plan.

A demonstrator wears a mask as he carries a sign with a picture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs, and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Wissm al-Okili REFILE - ADDING INFORMATION - RC1E4D782810

Welcome to the beginning of the end of Iraq's post-Saddam era

For Iraq’s youth, it’s been a failure.

Tuk-tuks to the rescue in Iraqi unrest

Iraqis disdained tuk-tuk drivers and their vehicles until their volunteerism during the ongoing anti-government protests made them national heroes.

Iraq on display

Iraqis are rising up against their corrupt government, but how can these revolutionary protests lead to lasting change?

Rep. Elissa Slotkin praises Iraq protests, warns against Iran missiles at Al-Monitor breakfast

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., discussed Iraq and Syria at Al-Monitor’s Middle East Mornings breakfast.

An Iraqi demonstrator burns tires during the ongoing anti-government protests in Najaf, Iraq November 18, 2019. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC2ODD964QFI

New scandals pour more fuel on Iraq protests

The popular protests in Iraq are still spreading, putting the government into even more of a corner.

An Iraqi demonstrator gestures during the ongoing anti-government protests in Najaf, Iraq November 18, 2019. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC2ODD9WBX48

Djerejian: In addressing uprisings in Middle East, first 'do no harm'

Former US diplomat Edward Djerejian also sees opportunity for US diplomacy in Gulf crisis.

Protesters in Iraq’s Nasiriyah fear Iran-backed armed groups

In the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar, activists say they fear they will be targeted by Iran-backed armed groups.