Iraq
'Mercenaries for foreigners': Khamenei accuses Iranian protesters of acting on behalf of Trump
The demonstrations, which began in Tehran last month, have spread to all of Iran's 31 provinces but have yet to reach the scale of the 2022-3 unrest sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.
Iranians 'have fallen in love with Netanyahu,' Tehran resident tells KAN - report
Candace Owens, influencers claim 'Zionist' plot behind Maduro capture
The American Venezuela operation marks end of era of US military hesitation - opinion
Voices from the Arab press: Education across the Middle East
A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.
Iraq moves to reclaim Ain al-Assad as US-led coalition ends mission
Assad's base was one of the few places the US remained, until Iran targeted the base with ballistic missiles in 2020 in response to the US killing Soleimani.
Haibat al-Halbousi elected Iraq’s parliament speaker as new legislature convenes
Iraq continues to face challenges as it navigates between the Iranian influence on the country and a push by the US and others to roll back Iranian-backed militias.
After Iraq legalizes child marriage, Baghdad bridal market booms as young girls sold to older men
Iraq’s decision to introduce the Ja’fari law in January means that girls can be married based on perceived “maturity and physical capacity.”
Iraqi Sunnis divided over upcoming vote for parliament speaker
Iraq’s top leadership is divided along sectarian lines, with the president being Kurdish and the prime minister usually a Shi’ite. The lower-level speaker of parliament's role goes to Sunnis.
Christian communities grow slowly as share of population falls in Middle East, North Africa
Analysts say the pattern is driven by a mix of factors: outward migration, lower birth rates, and increasingly, disaffiliation or conversion.
Iraqi militias may disarm over US-Israel threats, 30 million light weapons outside state control
With 90% of Iranian-backed groups agreeing to surrender weapons, experts warn that secret stockpiles, divided loyalties, and political bargaining could undermine the process.
Christmas passes peacefully in the Middle East
Christmas was celebrated by Christian communities across the region, including in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
Following shutdown, Iraq expects Iranian gas supplies to resume within a week, official says
The electricity ministry said on Tuesday that the flow of gas from Iran had been halted due to the shutdown of some generating units and load shedding at others.
Iraq says gas supplies from Iran have been halted as Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign kicks in
The ministry reported that 4,000 to 4,500 megawatts of power have been lost from the electrical system due to the halt in Iranian gas supplies.
A Kurdish crisis and a missing American: Iran’s expanding influence in Iraqi Kurdistan - opinion
An internal Kurdish power feud has triggered mass arrests, alleged executions, and the unresolved detention of an American veteran amid rising Iranian influence.
