Iraq

Iraq deepens ties with Jordan as Baghdad looks to strengthen regional alliances - analysis

Iraq and Jordan signed nine cooperation agreements during Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to Amman, focusing on trade, energy and security amid growing regional tensions.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, not pictured, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City, US, September 21, 2026.
Iraqi security forces stand at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after Iraq closed the crossing following airstrikes on the Iranian side that security sources said killed an Iraqi citizen, Iraq, April 4, 2026.

Tensions continue to mount as Iraq balances the Iran border crossing closures with national needs

Iraqi security forces stand at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after Iraq closed the crossing following airstrikes on the Iranian side that security sources said killed an Iraqi citizen, Iraq, April 4, 2026.

Iraq's government struggling amid threats of rebellion, protests, rising Iran tensions - analysis

Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (C) looks on during the family photo during the 52nd session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad on October 17, 2026.

Iraqi PM orders investigation into provincial council threats over closed Iran border crossing


Iran attacks Komala Kurdish opposition group in Iraq amid increased regional tensions

Many Kurdish Iranian opposition groups are concerned that Iran will now escalate attacks in the wake of the US leaving Iraq on September 30.

Illustrative: Komala party members look towards the debris is strewn from mangled structures following drone strikes on the Iranian Kurdish opposition Komala party's Sordash camp, which resulted in the death of a female party member and the injury of two others, April 15, 2026.

From Saddam Hussein to Israel: How Iran's wars have divided a nation - analysis

After Iran engaged twice in the space of one year against Israel and the United States, the question of how Iranians respond to an external enemy has returned to the fore.

 Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L) who became Iran's first Supreme Leader after the Islamic Revolution and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who offered the Shah of Iran to dispose of the cleric

Iran tensions, Syria talks put Iraqi Kurdistan at the center of Middle Eastern diplomacy - analysis

The Kurdistan Region is involved in a variety of discussions, in part due to its geographic position. It sits at the crossroads of major regional policies. 

Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Turkey’s historic bid to end the PKK insurgency hangs in the balance - opinion

Currently, the debate is focused heavily on where and how PKK weapons are to be surrendered and who verifies the operation.

Inside the Turkish Parliament, Ankara, June 3, 2023; illustrative.

Israel, Kurdistan, and the hopes for a strong political alliance - opinion

In a twisted way, the closer Kurds and Jews get, and the more visible that becomes, the more people start seeing Kurds as another kind of Jew: in how they frame the Kurdish political struggle.

Israelis from Kurdish origin take part in a rally in support of the Kurdish referendum outside the American consulate in Jerusalem September 24, 2017

Iraq targets lingering ISIS pockets with airstrikes, operations in security vacuum after US pullout

"F-16 aircraft carried out two airstrikes targeting a hideout belonging to remnants of Daesh elements in the Nareen area, resulting in its complete destruction."

Shi'ite fighters launch a rocket during clashes with Islamic State militants on the outskirts of al-Alam, Iraq.

Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria leading options for Abraham Accords expansion, CSA report assesses

CSA released its “Abraham Accords Expansion Opportunities: Middle East Analysis” report on October 8, assessing nine Muslim-majority countries without formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords.

Islamic regime attacks against Kurdish forces affect both Kurds in Iran, Iraq as tensions rise

More than 1,000 drones have been fired against Kurdish forces in Iraq, while Kurds in both Iran and Iraq fear that the strikes will reach their homes.

Image Reboot: A female fighter from from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK)  trains at a base near Erbil, Iraq, in Feb.

Trump envoy kept financial ties to firm behind $15 billion Hormuz-bypass oil pipeline plan

Barrack, US presidential special envoy to both Iraq and Syria as well as Ambassador to Turkey, has a longstanding business relationship with TI Capital and its founder Ziad Ghandour.

FILE PHOTO: US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack speaks to members of media at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, US, September 24, 2026.

Middle East economy to shrink 2.1% in 2026, Gulf economies by 4.3%, World Bank forecasts

Despite grim forecasts, the World Bank projects regional economies could rebound by 7.8% in 2027 if the conflict ends this year, though the Hormuz blockade and inflation remain major threats.

Now, when Israel looks out at the map, it has an alliance with two countries that face Iran directly across the Gulf