American journalist Shelly Kittleson abducted in Iraq The State Department said a suspect taken into custody by Iraqi authorities had ties to Kataib Hezbollah. Iraq
Syria sustains drone attack from Iraq, tackles smuggling tunnels on Lebanon border The incidents on Syria's borders follow threats against the transitional government by Iran and its proxies in Iraq. Syria
Analysis Oil-rich Gulf states could face power crunch as Iran war hits energy security While the conflict fuels a global oil price shock, the Gulf states must contend with growing threats to their own energy security, from power cuts to desalinated water loss. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Energy storage keeps Turkey stable, but long war risks fragile economy By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Iran's first strike on Iraqi Kurdish forces since war began a warning to US allies By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive Iraqi oil flows to Turkey after US pledges role in Baghdad-Kurds customs dispute By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iraq to Receive Russian Military Helicopters The Iraqi government is expanding its armed forces. Iraq
UN to Decide on Ending Sanctions Against Iraq The UN Security Council will consider this month whether to remove Iraq from UN Chapter VII regulations, but Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations still require permanent solutions to overcome the past. Kuwait
Turkey's Sunni Identity Test The Turkish government’s sectarian impulse, resurging whenever foreign policy fails, reverberates in domestic politics and fans social unrest. Iraq
Iraqi Shiite Cleric: Iraqi Extremism A 'Transitory Phase' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Iraqi Shiite authority Hussein al-Sadr shares his perspective on the state of affairs in Iraq 10 years after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iraq
Turkey-Kurdish Peace Process on Hold? Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government says the talks are on track, but the Kurdish side is warning of a break in the process. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Join Pro-Erdogan Protests Fearing setbacks in Kurdish-Turkish relations, Iraqi Kurds have taken to the streets in support of Erdogan, whom many regard as being the most tolerant of Turkey’s leaders toward the Kurdish population. Iraq
Foreign Oil Companies in Basra Caught in Political Crossfire Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition has lost control of the governorship in the oil-rich province of Basra, adding a new wrinkle to oil disputes in the region. Iraq
Barzani Seeks Compromise On Draft Constitution Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani has called together Kurdish factions to discuss controversial aspects of the region’s long-awaited draft constitution. Iraq
Opposition in Iraqi Kurdistan Questions Population Figures Population growth and density have become a hot topic among the Iraqi Kurdistan Region's opposition parties, as changing figures will inevitably affect election outcomes. Iraq
Iraq Moves Troops To Syrian Border As attacks and casualties continue to increase, Iraqi authorities have sent troops to the border with Syria in an effort to slow the flow of jihadist fighters, Iraq
Fewer Iranian Religious Tourists Are Visiting Iraq's Holy Places Economic and security concerns have led to a marked decrease in the number of Iranians visiting Iraq as religious tourists. Iraq
Iraq, Kuwait Chart a New Path Settling the borders issue as a sine qua non condition for normalization between Kuwait and Iraq. Kuwait