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
Iraqi Kurdish Parties Agree On Controversial Information Law After three years of discussion, the various blocs in the Kurdistan Regional Government have reached a consensus on military, security, political and personal exceptions to the law protecting free access to information. Iraq
Expectations Are High For Maliki-Barzani Summit in Erbil Sunday's planned meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani seems to show the two governments' conflict is quieting down. Iraq
Iraqi Interfaith Council Tries to Protect Minorities The Iraqi Council for Interfaith Dialogue has sought to unite people around protection of minorities. Iraq
Does Al-Qaeda in Iraq Have Chemical Weapons? Iraq's Defense Ministry says al-Qaeda was caught producing chemical weapons; some believe the claim was made to distract from authorities’ mismanagement of the security situation. Iraq
The Mideast in Venice Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist. United Arab Emirates
American University Graduates Students From Across Iraq The American University of Iraq in Sulaimaniyah brings together Iraq’s various religious and ethnic groups, providing education away from the country's sectarian divide. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Criticize Growing Turkish Influence The KRG’s drive for autonomy and stability via Turkey is revealing the gaps between Kurdish economic and political aims and between KRG elites and local populations. Iraq
Gunmen Attack Convoy Of Syrian Cargo Trucks in Iraq Al-Qaeda in Iraq may be behind an attack on four cargo trucks carrying highly flammable material from Iraq to Syria on June 2. Iraq
Shiite Holiday Raises Fears Of More Bombings in Baghdad With the approach of a Shiite holiday expected to bring observers to the capital, authorities worry that the recent wave of car bombings will grow. Iraq
Al-Qaeda-Iraq Statement A Sign Of Rising Sectarian Violence In a rare public statement, al-Qaeda in Iraq has announced that it is meeting with Sunni leaders in the west of the country to join forces to fight the “Iranian Safavid gestapo.” Iraq
Is Iraq on Verge of New Civil War? Months of unrest in Iraq’s Sunni provinces, along with recent car bombings and other forms of sectarian violence, have raised concerns about another civil war. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s Lawyers Speak Out Against New Law Disputes emerge between lawyers in the Iraqi Kurdistan region in reaction to a new law allowing foreign lawyers to practice their profession there. Iraq