Iraq says 14 ISIS members killed in airstrikes Iraqi forces said ISIS leaders were among those killed in the desert strikes, as discussions on the US troop presence in the country and the group’s persistence in neighboring Syria continue. Iraq
Iraq downs Turkish drone over airspace violation, army says The statement comes less than two weeks after Ankara and Baghdad signed a security cooperation deal, and as Turkish officials are preparing to host Iraqi, Emirati and Qatari officials for a major trade corridor project that will connect Iraq and Turkey. Turkey
Turkey to host Iraq, Qatar, UAE officials for Development Road summit The estimated $20 billion project was formalized during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit in April to Baghdad and will link Basra to Turkey via a rail and road network. Turkey
Saudi FM makes unannounced visit to Iraq, meets Sudani: What we know Saudi Arabia and Gulf states are showing increasing interest in Iran-dominated Iraq. Iraq
Analysis Turkey’s security pact with Iraq: Which side came out on top? By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive From mountaintops to underground: PKK responds to Turkey’s drones By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Russia's role seen as negative in Turkey, Yemen, Iraq The Russian invasion of Ukraine hurt the region economically, as supply chain disruptions and food shortages topped respondents concerns in Turkey, Egypt, Yemen and Iraq Turkey
In Iraq, Macron seeks bigger sphere of influence for France In less than a month, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted both Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani as Paris works to revive its influence in the region and counter China and Iran. Iraq
Honor killings in Iraq rekindle efforts to criminalize domestic violence There is once again outrage and calls for legal reforms in Iraq to protect women from being murdered at the hands of family members. Iraq
Iraqi parliament's attempt to amend electoral law met with anger The controversial amendment, which will benefit Iraq's larger political parties at the expense of independent ones, is causing political division in the country between the ruling coalition and Sadrists, among others. Iraq
Iraq's FM: We are in touch with the US, Iran to reduce tensions In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Fuad Hussein discusses US-Iraq economic relations, regional economic integration and sanctions on Russia and Iran. Iraq
Russia's Lavrov in Iraq, looks for sanctions relief Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s trip to Iraq focused on expanding energy and trade ties, while making a pitch for relief from US sanctions. Iraq
Iraq's PM in UAE as Abu Dhabi announces water project in Sinjar Iraq is pivoting towards the Gulf in its foreign policy while also seeking to maintain good ties with Iran. Iraq
Iraq lowers dollar-dinar exchange rate The Iraqi dinar has been depreciating against the dollar amid restrictions from the US Federal Reserve and other issues. Iraq
Trilateral Biden-Abdullah-Sudani call reiterated support for Iraq The Iraqi prime minister also discussed Iraq’s economic situation with the president as the dinar continues to slide against the dollar. Jordan's King Abdullah II was also on the call. Iraq
Pro-Iran group claims attack on Turkey's base in northern Iraq The so-called Bashiqa base, which has long been a source of tension between Ankara and Baghdad, is a frequent target of rocket attacks by pro-Iranian groups in Iraq. Turkey
OPEC+ likely to maintain oil output at meeting, in gesture to US While the OPEC+ group is expected to maintain oil production at its virtual meeting set for Feb. 1, global demand for oil is estimated to reach a record high in 2023. Gulf
Middle East corruption rankings: Syria most corrupt, UAE least, Turkey slipped Corruption remains rampant across the Middle East and North Africa, Transparency International reports, with the region’s average score in combating corruption hitting a new low of 38. Turkey