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Iraq

March 16, 2026

Baghdad 12:29 pm

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CENTCOM: Six killed after US refueling tanker aircraft crashes in Iraq

The KC-135 is the fourth American military aircraft downed since the war against Iran began.

Retired Israeli general and executive director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies Amos Yadlin attends a session at the Manama Dialogue security conference in the Bahraini capital, on Dec. 5, 2020.

Interview

Yadlin: Israel's war goal to weaken Iran, not immediate regime change

Israeli leaders are aware that Washington will decide when the war ends whether or not Israel has achieved its war aims, Yadlin told Al-Monitor.

Commercial vessels are pictured offshore in Dubai on March 11, 2026. AFP via Getty Images

Oil jumps above $100 as energy crisis called worst in history: What to know

The latest spike is the second time in a week that oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel.

Fighters lift flags of Iraq and paramilitary groups, including al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah, during a funeral in Baghdad for five militants killed a day earlier in a US strike in northern Iraq, on Dec. 4, 2023.

US warns of kidnapping threat in Iraq as Iran-backed militia hits diplomatic facility

A number of US-related sites have been targeted by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, prompting Baghdad to bolster its air defenses.

Latest News

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Baghdad, US turn to Iraqi Kurds for oil exports as Iran war hits supplies

The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on Nov. 24, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Why Israel's looking to Kurds to make gains against Iran regime

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters affiliated with PAK train on Jan. 18, 2026, near Erbil, Iraq.

Analysis

CIA, Mossad bolster Iran’s Kurds as US, Israel seek to ignite military revolt

Osama Al Maqdoni / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Which 6 Kurdish groups could join the war in Iran?

A picture from the formation of the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan on Feb. 22, 2026.

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

Businesspeople intervene in bitter ties between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan

Turkish businesspeople have launched a campaign to restore ties between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government, which were hit hard last year after Kurdistan's independence referendum.

Baghdad policewomen's roles expand as they rise in ranks

As more women join Iraqi police forces and become more visible on the streets, they believe the public — and their colleagues — will become more accepting.

Masrour Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government's Security Council, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Erbil, Iraq, November 6, 2016. To match Interview MIDEAST-CRISIS/MOSUL-SECURITY REUTERS/Azad Lashkari - S1AEULGZEIAA

KDP names picks for Iraqi Kurdistan government

The conflict between the two main Kurdish parties in Iraq could make for political maneuvering among the smaller parties as Iraqi Kurdistan seeks to form a new government.

Former Iraqi Kurdish region President Masoud Barzani meets with Iraqi Shi'ite radical leader Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, Iraq November 23, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC180BA2F8F0

Why Massoud Barzani returned to Baghdad

After a long breakup, KDP leader Massoud Barzani returned to Baghdad to strengthen Kurdistan's position in the capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to mark the completion of the sea part of the TurkStream gas pipeline, in Istanbul, Turkey November 19, 2018. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC16FD451F00

Putin eyes visit to Baghdad amid growing Russian-Iraqi contacts

Contacts between Moscow and Baghdad have increased lately and President Putin may visit Iraq early next year.

Iran moves forward with railway link to Syria via Iraq

Iran is building a 20-mile stretch of railway that will connect railways throughout Iraq to neighboring Syria.

Corruption charges delay completion of Iraqi Cabinet

The political alliance that allowed Iraq to move forward in building a new government could be on the brink of collapse.

USAID money diverted to Syrian terrorist group

"Numerous instances" of diversion reported by US watchdog agency; US sanctions between Iraq and a hard place.

Iran-Iraq relations in light of US sanctions

Rather than undermine ties between Iran and Iraq, the Trump administration’s reimposition of sanctions is compelling Iran to deepen ties with its western neighbor.

How Saudi Arabia, Qatar are competing over Iraq

As the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Qatar continues, each country seeks influence in Iraq in order to expand its economic and political power in the region.

With rising US pressure, Iran worries about losing ground in Iraq

Iran is worried about losing influence in Iraq after the reimposition of US sanctions on Iran and because of US pressure on Iraq to distance itself from Iran.

Baghdad artists reimagine Iraq in the public sphere

From dangerous migrations by sea to the prevalence of plastic waste, young Iraqi artists highlight past and present troubles through street art.