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
Iraqi rival parties can't agree on path to new elections Although Iraq's two rival Shiite groups, the Sadrists and the Coordination Framework, both agreed on early elections, they can't agree on the details. Iraq
US 'concerned' about response to protests in Kurdistan Region Press freedom issues are not new in the autonomous Iraqi region. Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr uses street pressure to set political conditions for his rivals Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr vowed that new elections would be held as his followers flocked to a mass prayer in the occupied parts of Baghdad’s Green Zone after 10 months of political deadlock. Iraq
Kurdistan Region pursues gun control after deadly shootings The autonomous government in northern Iraq has an ambitious plan to curb gun violence, but some in the region have concerns about the feasibility of gun control due to societal and political factors. Iraq
Analysis Iran’s long shadow from Vienna to Baghdad and beyond More may be riding on the JCPOA talks than just the fate of Iran’s nuclear program. By Week in Review
Sadr so far cool to UN mediation to break Iraqi political deadlock United Nations special representative Jeanine Plasschaert met with Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, but so far there are no signs of a compromise. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis fear intra-Shiite conflict could spiral to other communities Sunnis and Kurds in Iraq are wary that if unresolved, the fighting among Shiite factions could spill over into their regions. Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr complicates Iranian moves in Iraq Iranians from different sides look at Iraq's Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s recent move with suspicion. Iraq
Iranian influence turns PKK-weakened Kurdistan into regional battleground Vehicles allegedly carrying Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) commanders continue to be targeted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq amid claims Iran controls both the PKK and Shiite-led forces in oil-rich and disputed Kirkuk. Iraq
Iraqi government initiates dialogue to end national crisis Iraqi and international leaders are responding positively to the prime minister's call fior national dialogue among the various political parties. Iraq
Taliban on edge after US kills al-Qaeda chief in upscale Kabul neighborhood The US and the Taliban traded accusations of violating a key 2020 accord after Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a US drone attack in a part of the Afghan capital long known for its ostentatious villas. Iraq
Rival Shiite forces flex muscles in two protests in Baghdad Speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammed al-Halbusi suspended parliament in response to Sadrist protesters who have occupied the Green Zone, closing down for now the prospects of a government formation. Iraq