Iraq
Iraqi police officer killed, four others injured in Islamic State terror attack near Kirkuk
Despite the defeat of the Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate nearly a decade ago, the group retains sleeper cells in Iraq, Iraqi security officials told Reuters ahead of the US withdrawal.
Seeking to prevent crisis, Iraq condemns desecration of US flag by pro-Iranian militias - analysis
Iran-backed militias in Iraq determined to retain arms after US withdrawal - interview
Iran-backed militias trample US flag, exposing Iraq’s sovereignty problem - analysis
Iraq completes investigation into thousands of ISIS detainees formerly held in Syria - report
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had been holding them until the SDF and Syrian government agreed to integrate, at which time US Central Command decided to facilitate a mass transfer.
The Kurds rose as Syria and Iraq collapsed - now, their fortunes are reversing
BEHIND THE LINES: If and when the current strategy fails, the Kurds may need to be reached again. Hopefully, by the time this occurs, they will be able to take advantage of the moment in full.
Iraq emerges as Iran’s economic lifeline amid tighter US sanctions
Iraq’s close political and commercial ties with Iran, give Tehran access to trade routes, currency markets, and commercial networks that are difficult for US authorities to monitor.
Syria’s oil corridor plans take shape as Trump looks beyond Hormuz - analysis
Syria is positioning itself as a potential energy corridor to the Mediterranean, with new deals involving gas fields and growing cooperation between international energy firms and Iraq’s oil sector.
Iranian-backed militia Badr admits it killed, wounded thousands of protesters in Iraq in 2019
A video of Hadi al-Amiri saying "the resistance stood bravely in the face of (the October fitna, as it was dubbed) and preserved the state and political system,” began circulating.
Iranian attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan aim to transform Iraq into buffer zone, spread war - analysis
Iran’s attacks seek to strike an area of Iraq that the regime assumes is not well protected, in a push to move fighting outside Iran and avoid insurrections inside.
Iraqi militias raise new conditions for disarmament, Iraq takes 'wait-and-see' approach - analysis
If the groups refuse to disarm, Iraq will take a wait-and-see approach, with many saying that they already gave up weapons to the PMF, while also being part of these forces.
Attacks on Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq as Iran launches retaliatory strikes against US bases
Explosions heard in Eilat as sirens sound in southern Jordan following Iranian attacks. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated that Iran “will no longer exercise restraint."
US diplomatic reshuffle in Iraq comes at critical moment for Baghdad and Washington - analysis
US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris is ending his posting in Baghdad as Washington prepares for a diplomatic transition amid the planned US troop withdrawal from Iraq and ongoing tensions.
Kurds in Syria, Iraq fight against 'Arabization' with language, but might need to push harder
Both in Syria and Iraq, there are rising reports of pushes for Arabic to become a main language and demographic changes in Kurdish areas, with officials needing to tackle these issues.
