Analysis Renewed Iraq attacks test Zaidi’s push to disarm Iran-backed militias An attempt by Iraqi government forces to seize weapons belonging to an Iranian-backed faction encountered resistance, raising questions about Prime Minister Ali Zaidi’s pledge to disarm militias by Sept. 30. By Mustafa Salim
Analysis Iran-linked militias seek to draw Iraq into regional war “Iran’s logic is the logic of war,” a Gulf regional official tells Al-Monitor. By Week in Review
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
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel’s Netanyahu to discuss Iran, Lebanon with Trump By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump's Syria pullout divides Iran hawks Despite bipartisan rebuke, some see great benefits in fixing ties with Turkey. Iraq
Iraq on low boil in anticipation of renewed protests The crisis in Syria has only made Iraq’s problems worse. Iraq
Civil society activists and journalists leave Baghdad in fear of being arrested In the wake of protests, civil society activists and journalists are leaving Baghdad after hearing the Iraqi government is preparing to arrest them. Iraq
Families of Sadr City ‘martyrs’ say protests will resume Families and friends of the dozens of protesters from Baghdad’s Sadr City killed in the recent protests say they doubt reforms announced by the prime minister will significantly affect the current situation. They warn that protests will continue unless they see real change. Iraq
Pentagon to stay in Islamic State fight from Iraq The Pentagon expects to fight the Islamic State from Iraq, a senior defense official said today, as American troops are set to leave northern Syria under pressure from a deepening Turkish offensive. Iraq
Will Arbaeen observance bring peace or protests in Iraq? As the Arbaeen pilgrimage is about to start in Iraq, authorities fear demonstrators will launch new protests. Iraq
Is Turkey able to handle influx of Islamic State prisoners? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey can take custody of Islamic State prisoners at a time when every other country avoids the repatriation of their own citizens. But there are serious questions as to whether Turkey can handle the situation. Iraq
Sistani calls for justice as Iraqi protesters bleed Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani condemned the government for the bloodshed in the recent protests, supporting the protesters' demands. Iraq
How far will Egypt go to defend Syria? Egypt has been spearheading efforts to halt Turkey's offensive in Syria and hosted an emergency Arab League meeting, but is this enough? Egypt
Sunnis support protests in Iraq, yet fear involvement Sunnis have been quiet during the recent protests in Iraq, but not because they aren't suffering along with their Shiite countrymen. Iraq
The Aramco attack and the rise of nonstate actors The attack against Saudi Arabia's Aramco facility points to a crucial change on how one traditionally understands armed conflict in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
How will US troop withdrawal from northern Syria affect Iraq? The US troop withdrawal from northeastern Syria could lead to catastrophic consequences for Syrian Kurds while strengthening the Islamic State and destabilizing Iraq. Iraq