Interview Yadlin: Israel's war goal to weaken Iran, not immediate regime change Israeli leaders are aware that Washington will decide when the war ends whether or not Israel has achieved its war aims, Yadlin told Al-Monitor.
Oil jumps above $100 as energy crisis called worst in history: What to know The latest spike is the second time in a week that oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel. Iran
US warns of kidnapping threat in Iraq as Iran-backed militia hits diplomatic facility A number of US-related sites have been targeted by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, prompting Baghdad to bolster its air defenses. Iraq
Exclusive Baghdad, US turn to Iraqi Kurds for oil exports as Iran war hits supplies Baghdad wants Kurdish pipelines to move up to 200,000 barrels per day to global markets, but Erbil is demanding relief from a dollar embargo and greater autonomy over trade. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis CIA, Mossad bolster Iran’s Kurds as US, Israel seek to ignite military revolt By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Exclusive US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days' By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkish government divided over lockdown proposals Turkish policymakers are split on whether a lockdown approach is the best way to protect Turkey from coronavirus, with some more fearful of the economic fallout than the potential deaths. Iraq
US coalition transfers another base to Iraqi security forces The US-led coalition against the Islamic State has announced the transfer of another military base to Iraqi security forces as a temporary precaution against the coronavirus outbreak. Iraq
Implementation of curfew to fight COVID-19 proves difficult in Iraq Although the Iraqi government has taken strict measures to fight the coronavirus, the security forces face great challenges from curfew violators. Iraq
Intel: US provides aid to help Iraq fight coronavirus The US Embassy in Baghdad announced today that is providing $670,000 to help Iraq fight the novel coronavirus pandemic. Iraq
Is another economic crisis looming in Iraq, with dropping oil prices? Iraqis are expressing great concern about the low oil prices amid the coronavirus outbreak, as the government may not be able to pay their salaries in the coming months. Iraq
Iraqi government officials, clerics unite against COVID-19 Iraq's religious establishment is supporting and working closely with the government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic's spread, though a minority of clerics are disregarding precautions and spreading disinformation among the public. Iraq
Intel: Coronavirus forces partial US troop drawdown in Iraq The US-led global coalition to defeat the Islamic State announced today that the coronavirus pandemic has forced “temporary adjustments” in the mission against the terrorist group. Iraq
Impacts of US withdrawal from Qaim base in Iraqi border with Syria US forces pulled out of the strategic Qaim area on the Iraqi-Syrian border in mid-March, citing success in preventing IS resurgence; locals agree that the Islamic State presence has been significantly weakened but warn the move may lead to nonstate actors gaining more power over official Iraqi security forces. Iraq
Why some Iranians are opposed to closing religious shrines to fight coronavirus The Iranian government's decision to close religious shrines in Qom, Mashhad and Greater Tehran to combat the spread of COVID-19 has caused an outcry among some who oppose the move for reasons of tradition or religion. Iraq
US urges Iraq to step up protection of US, coalition personnel The State Department said Iraq is not doing its part to protect US and coalition forces in the country. Iraq
Iraq to exhume bodies from Yazidi mass graves Iraq is uncovering and exhuming the mass graves of Islamic State victims, primarily Yazidis. Iraq
Is Iraq taking necessary measures to prevent COVID-19 spread? Iraqi authorities are taking strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Iraq