Iran denies supporting Qandil operation, fueling Turkish resentment

Pro-government analysts say Iran is trying to prevent Turkish influence in Iraq, and they accuse Tehran of “strategic shallowness,” which they say it will come to regret.

Iraq

Is the GCC dead?

The Gulf Cooperation Council is broken and may not be fixable.

Legacy: Gulf

Will Iraqi communists stick with Sadr’s Sairoon Alliance?

Rank-and-file members of the Iraqi Communist Party feel betrayed by Muqtada al-Sadr's Sairoon Alliance allying with the pro-Iranian Fatah Alliance to potentially form an overwhelmingly Shiite government instead of trying to dispense with sectarian politics.

Iraq

Iran coy on support for Turkish assault on PKK in Iraq

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s offensive appears linked to Turkish elections and Iraqi politics; Is Turkey staying or going in northern Syria? Putin and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri discuss Syrian refugees.

Iraq

Islamic State fighters buried without identification in Iraq

A year after Mosul was liberated from the Islamic State, the bodies of the group’s fighters are finally being recovered from the rubble of their last stronghold in the city.

Iraq

Iraqi militias, US make nice following elections

Some factions of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units and their political wings among the Fatah Alliance are showing possible interest in rapprochement with the United States.

Iraq

Turkey takes on Kurds in evolving Qandil operation

Although Ankara seems determined to reach the PKK stronghold of Qandil in Iraq, it faces many obstacles to sustaining such an operation against Kurdish militants in the punishing mountain region.

Iraq

Will Iraq's Qandil become Erdogan’s quagmire?

Although Turkey's military excursion into northern Iraq could be an electoral stunt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an expanded operation into Qandil Mountains could become a quagmire for Erdogan and pose great risks for regional stability.

Iraq

Sadr allies with Iran-backed coalition to form government in Iraq

In an unexpected move, the Sairoon Alliance led by Muqtada al-Sadr formed a coalition with the pro-Iranian Fatah Alliance, getting them close to a majority needed to form a new government.

Iraq

Does Mhebis, a Ramadan tradition, have a future in Iraq?

Al-Muhaibis, or Mhebis, a traditional game centered around finding a ring, is being played by Iraqis this Ramadan, but some foresee its disappearance as younger generations prefer spending time online playing electronic games.

Iraq

Turkey touts Iranian support for PKK offensive

Ankara claims it has Iran's support for the operation rolling out against the Kurdistan Workers Party in northern Iraq, but Tehran has yet to respond officially.

Iraq

Turkey delays dam plans, granting Iraq brief reprieve

Ankara puts off filling its Ilisu Dam for the second time to temporarily ease Iraqis' fear that their water shortage will worsen.

Iraq