Iraq bans PKK as security ties with Turkey gain momentum The decision comes after the high-level talks between Turkish and Iraqi officials in Baghdad. Turkey
Three top Turkey officials to visit Iraq as Erdogan threatens Kurdish militants The officials’ visit signals a fresh drive to dial up pressure on the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which Ankara accuses of collaborating with Kurdish militants. Turkey
Turkey’s FM tackles long-held disputes with Iraq in first official visit Hakan Fidan chose Iraq for his first official visit as Turkey's new foreign minister, but the visit appeared to yield little progress on long-standing disputes between Ankara and Baghdad. Turkey
Syrian rebels kill IS caliph as attacks continue in Iraq, Syria The Islamic State’s third caliph has been killed in southern Syria as Iraqis retain control of the organization amid concerns and confusion about identities, fighter whereabouts and security gaps. Iraq
Analysis Iran strikes Iraqi Kurdistan again, warns of possible ground operation By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Iran Quds commander pays respects at Talabani's tomb as Kirkuk crisis escalates Qasem Soleimani in Iraqi Kurdistan; Turkey looks to Syrian tribes for allies; UN Syria envoy seeks to build on cease-fire progress with "realism." Saudi Arabia
Iran wary of Trump’s plans in Iraqi Kurdistan Iranian concerns about the Trump administration’s plans for Iraqi Kurdistan appear to be tempering Tehran’s fury with Erbil over the Sept. 25 independence referendum. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Kurdish referendum inspires statehood for Iraq's Sunnis too Last month's Kurdish independence referendum in Iraq has inspired some of the country's Sunni leaders to call for their own autonomous state in its Sunni areas. Iraq
Can Putin stop Erdogan from shutting down Iraqi Kurdish pipeline? In a visit to Tehran, Turkish president coordinates next steps with Iranian leaders; Cengiz Candar on the loss of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani; Al-Monitor receives prestigious Online Journalism Award for explanatory reporting. Iraq
Turkey’s post-referendum fury exposes armed ‘volunteers’ Turkey’s nationalist opposition leader has warned of 5,000 volunteers ready to fight for the Turkmens in Kirkuk, but Turkey’s own Kurds seem to be the actual target of the threat. Turkey
Iran sees challenge of Kurdish referendum as opportunity After being taken aback by the Kurdish independence vote, Iran is now evolving to view the referendum as an opportunity to forge practical cooperation with affected neighboring states. Iraq
Pentagon stops paying peshmerga salaries amid Kurdish independence backlash The Donald Trump administration has allowed a yearlong deal to pay stipends to the Kurdish militia to expire. Iraq
Erdogan renews threats over Kurdish oil Turkey's president has renewed threats to disrupt the exportation of Iraqi Kurdish oil and invoked Russian cooperation in doing so, despite Russian claims of non-interference. Iraq
What Talabani's death means for future of Iraq The future doesn't look well for Iraq and the region in the wake of former President Jalal Talabani's death. Iraq
How Turkey's nuclear plant could curb KRG ambitions Turkey's decision to strengthen its energy ties with Russia through agreements for the Turkish Stream and the Akkuyu nuclear power plant may put a brake on the Kurdistan Regional Government. Iraq
Erdogan's Iran visit sparks talk of Iraqi Kurdistan as 'new Israel' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Tehran to discuss the Kurdish independence referendum in northern Iraqi and expanding economic relations. Turkey
Kurdish referendum tests Iran-Turkey-Russia axis The warming of ties between Iran and Turkey, driven by their alarm over the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, has the prospect of paving the way for the reshaping of the regional order. Turkey
