Analysis How Turkey is deepening energy and economic ties with Iraq as Iran weakens Turkey and Iraq are accelerating energy, infrastructure and trade cooperation as the Hormuz crisis increases the strategic value of northern export routes. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel strikes south Lebanon after 2 soldiers killed Tehran says Iran, Oman agree on Hormuz shipping route; US lifts sanctions on Iraqi airline linked to Iran's IRGC; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iraqi Kurdish president’s meeting with Syria’s Sharaa signals shift in SDF dynamics KRG President Nechirvan Barzani’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa underscored the Kurdistan Region’s growing role in Syria’s Kurdish politics. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran denies negotiations with US after Trump calls off strikes Pakistan’s death toll rises to 17 after suspected suicide bombing; Syria’s Sharaa meets with KRG President Barzani; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive US nears full withdrawal from Iraq as bases in Kurdistan Region face attacks from Iran, proxies By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iraq's Zaidi cancels Riyadh visit after US-Saudi strikes By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Geneva II must achieve peaceful solution The Syrian government, the Syrian opposition and the world must take advantage of the opportunities afforded by Geneva II to bring peace to Syria. Saudi Arabia
Resolution of Anbar crisis requires security, political coordination Baghdad must combine security and political efforts to bring an end to the current crisis involving al-Qaeda and the Sunnis in Anbar province. Iraq
Unregulated hunting threatens Iraqi bird populations While Iraq has long enjoyed a rich heritage of hunting, modern techniques and a lack of regulation are severely diminishing certain native species and harming the environment. Iraq
Suicide bombers disguised as pilgrims infiltrate Iraq The suicide bombers who have been striking Iraqi pilgrims are motivated by jihadist ideology. Iraq
Basra governor speaks about corruption, security challenges In an interview with Al-Monitor, Basra governor Majid al-Nasrawi spoke about corruption and said the city has hired a British security consulting firm to advise it on contracts. Iraq
Lebanese Shiite cleric calls for building inclusive state In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Shiite cleric Hani Fahs said that the region must work toward peace, and citizens should work to build inclusive states. Iraq
Ending Iraq's demonstrations won't solve Sunni crisis The Sunni demonstrations may not last much longer, but their end will not mean that Iraq’s sectarian problems have been addressed. Iraq
Iraq fails to attract domestic capital Due to the deteriorating security situation as well as underdeveloped financial and banking apparatuses, Iraqi capital has been migrating outside the country. Iraq
Anbar protesters remain defiant despite government threats In spite of calls from the government to postpone the Anbar sit-ins until after parliamentary elections, protesters there say they will not leave until their demands are met. Iraq
Iraqi army fights for control of Anbar The Iraqi army has launched an operation to seal the border with Syria and defeat al-Qaeda in western Iraq. Iraq
Dawa official calls for opening another American university in Iraq The Islamic Dawa Party has long resisted “Western cultural penetration” in Iraq, but the dire state of education in the country has prompted Education Minister Ali al-Adeeb, a Dawa Party official, to call for opening an American university in Iraq. Iraq
Divided Iraqi leaders shirk responsibility With each successive outbreak of violence or natural disaster, Iraqi leaders, particularly Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, continue to point the finger of blame at their opponents. Iraq