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
Displaced women care for their own as Mosul battle rages As the Mosul operation sends more patients, limited medical staff — themselves displaced — are struggling to provide treatment and health care to a growing number of displaced families. Iraq
Iran’s new challenge: The Islamic State in Persia? Though Iran has announced that it has killed the Islamic State’s "emir" in the country, it continues to face serious security threats from a variety of militants. Saudi Arabia
Will Jewish MP join Iraqi parliament? Responding to Iraqi Jewish messages, an Iraqi parliamentary bloc calls for official representation of Iraqi Jews in the parliament. Iraq
Why calls for independence are in decline in Iraqi Kurdistan The economic crisis in Iraqi Kurdistan has decreased independence ambitions significantly, while the social and political demands to turn toward Baghdad are increasing in the region. Iraq
What's the status of IMF loan as Iraq dismisses finance minister? The International Monetary Fund has granted a $3 billion loan to Iraq; however, parliament and the government have not yet reached an agreement over the loan conditions. Iraq
Decline of higher education in Iraq continues Despite several recent achievements, Iraq's universities still suffer from poor management, corruption and sectarianism. Iraq
Why Iraq's Yazidis are upset over new film depicting IS massacres Women who suffered at the hand of the Islamic State are now being subjected to further humiliation, in the opinion of the Yazidi community, which is protesting a film on the topic that they say is inaccurate and misleading. Iraq
What does de-Baathification mean for Iraq's Kurds? Given the Baath regime crimes against the Kurds, the Kurdish street is angered at the several scandals, including that the KRG did not react to the law to ban the Baath Party. Iraq
Division among Iraq's Shabak minority reveals Kurdish-Arab land rivalry Minorities in Iraq's Ninevah plains are stuck between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government based in Erbil, which are competing for their lands. Iraq
Will Iraq's minorities return to their homelands post-IS? As Iraqi forces are advancing against the Islamic State, Iraqi minorities express their worries about the future of their lands post-IS. Iraq
How Islamic State is trying to lure Kurds to its ranks The Islamic State released a video Aug. 3 in which militants refer to prominent Kurdish leaders in a bid to attract the Kurds to their ranks. Iraq
Will KRG be next target of Turkey's Gulenist purge? Though the Gulen movement has long been a major player in education, business and public facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan, observers doubt that the Turkish government will let its influence hinder relations between the two important trading partners. Iraq
