Syria reopens key crossing after 11 years, aiding Iraq's oil exports amid war Iraq and Syria have shown a desire to cooperate on oil exports, and the matter has become more urgent due to the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Syria
Shelly Kittleson's kidnapping by suspected Iran-backed militia exposes Iraq government weakness The abduction of US journalist Shelly Kittleson highlights the outsized influence of Iran-aligned armed groups operating beyond Baghdad’s control. Iraq
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
Analysis Oil-rich Gulf states could face power crunch as Iran war hits energy security 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
Questions About Practices Of Private Iraqi Banks Iraq's private banks rarely engage in traditional banking activities such as offering loans and credit and have lost the trust of the Iraqi people, writes Omar Al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraqi Divorce Rates, Social Problems On Rise Divorce rates have risen sharply in Iraq amid fears of violence and abuse against women, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Iraqi Parliament Struggles to Ratify Budget Amid Political Crisis As political and sectarian crises escalate in Iraq, the country’s parliament is struggling to reach an agreement over this year’s budget, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
What Next for PUK, Iraqi Kurdistan? Iraqi Kurdish leaders are holding intensive meetings to address Iraqi Kurdish politics in the absence of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Iraqi Protests Escalate, Enter Third Week As anti-Maliki protests in Iraq enter their third week, the demonstrations are increasing in size, and all sides are urging calm and restraint, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Iraqi Border Closures Affect Commerce in Sunni Regions Iraq's decision to close border crossings in Sunni regions bordering Syria may be primarily for security, but it is also taking an economic toll, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Sistani Calls for 'Civil State' in Iraq Mustafa al-Kadhimi discusses the role of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraqi politics. Iraq
Iraqi Opposition Blocs Renew Effort to Oust Maliki In a repeat of a move from earlier this year, opposition blocs in Iraq are once again trying to withdraw confidence from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and force the collapse of his government, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Iraq, Arab States Should End Sectarian Rhetoric, Policies Mustafa al-Kadhimi writes that there is common ground for Iraq to rebuild its relationships with its Arab neighbors, if all parties can cease sectarian rhetoric and agendas. Iraq
Baghdad Traces Iraqi Terror Links To Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra Ali Abdel Sadah reports that the Iraqi government is investigating links between Iraqi al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra, which the US has declared a terrorist group. Iraq
Transitional Justice in Iraq Is Anything But Transitional justice in Iraq has been a front for political score-settling and vengeance and that must change, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
KRG Oil Sales to Turkey Inflame Tensions with Baghdad Baghdad has threatened legal action in response to the Kurdistan Regional Government's decision to export oil to Turkey, while Washington stands by, writes Semih Idiz. Iraq
