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
Iraqi Struggle for Secular Democracy Losing Ground Ali Abdel Sadah analyzes the struggles of secular democrats in Iraq against Islamic sectarian politics. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan Seeks Independence in Oil Exports Omar al-Shaher reports on the Kurdistan Region's decision to export oil through Turkey as escalating tensions between Baghdad and Erbil. Iraq
Issawi Crisis Signals More Iraqi Sectarian Violence After Iraqi Finance Minister Rafi al-Issawi’s bodyguard was arrested, sectarian tensions have resurfaced, threatening the Iraqi political scene, writes Ali Abdel Sadah. Iraq
Iraq Protests Present Muslim Brotherhood With Opportunity The Muslim Brotherhood in Iraq has for years struggled to find a footing amongst many sectarian parties, but recent protests in Sunni cities have given them an opportunity, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
Five Million State Employees Drag Down Iraqi Economy Omar al-Shaher writes that five million state employees receive inflated salaries and do little or no work, costing the state $83 billion and creating a drag on the Iraqi economy. Iraq
Maliki Calculates Early Elections Controversy plagues Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government as he tries to deepen his control of internal changes, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Iraq Central Bank Boosts Gold Reserves The Iraqi Central Bank has adopted a policy of buying gold for its central reserve at a time when gold prices are at an all-time high, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Al-Monitor Launches Iraq Pulse Al-Monitor this week launched the Iraq Pulse, featuring original reporting and commentary from prominent reporters and analysts inside Iraq. Iraq
Sadr Allies With Sunnis in Challenge To Maliki Muqtada Sadr has allied with Sunnis opposed to Prime Minister Maliki in order to help oust him from power, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Fear Rise of Military Threat From Baghdad As tensions between Baghdad and Erbil escalate, Abdel Hamid Zibari argues that Kurdish fears are not exaggerated and that the armament of Iraqi forces poses a serious threat to the Kurdish region. Iraq
Sadr and Maliki Battle Over Iraqi Oil Ali Abel Sadah examines the complex relationship between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Muqtada al-Sadr. Iraq
Iraqi Pipeline to Aqaba Sparks Memories of Kirkuk-Haifa Line The oil pipeline to be constructed between Baghdad and Aqaba raises fond memories among Israelis of the Mandate-era Kirkuk-Haifa oil pipeline, a time that many would be happy to resurrect, writes Jacky Hugi. Iraq
