Iraq

Qatar’s ‘Ring of Fire’: The growing influence posing a deadly threat to Israel's security - opinion

If we do not cleanse Israel of the Qatari parasite, we will experience much greater disasters than the October 7 massacre.

|ByURIEL DESKEL
An illustration of the flags of Israel and Qatar.
ISIS militants

Controlled chaos: Terrorism is used as a political tool - opinion

Terrorism isn’t just a security threat; it’s a political tool exploited by actors who profit from instability.

|BySALEM ALKETBI
A boat approaches the St Kitt's and Nevis-flagged container ship Marsa Victory while crusing in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Khasab in Oman's northern Musandam peninsula on June 25, 2025.

Iran temporarily closes Strait of Hormuz due to 'security precautions,' shipping safety

According to Fars, the IRGC Navy commander declared that, "The weapon that reaches the battlefield on the day of war is different from what is displayed in exercises."

|ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A woman and child walk in the the al-Hol camp in Syria's northeastern Al-Hasakah Governorate on July 28, 2024, as Syrian families of suspected Islamic State fighters prepare to return to their homes in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.

Thirty-four Australians released from a camp holding families of suspected ISIS terrorists in Syria

Hukmiya Mohamed, a co-director of Roj camp, told Reuters that the 34 Australians had been released to their families, who had come to Syria for the release.

|ByREUTERS

IDF reveals connection between Hamas, ousted Assad regime in letters, documents

The letters include correspondence between senior Hamas officials, including Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Mohammad Saeed Izadi.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Killed Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, leader Yahya Sinwar against backdrop of ousted Syrian president Bashar Assad (illustration).

Trump, Vance not invited to Dick Cheney's Washington funeral

Trump and Vance were not invited to Dick Cheney’s funeral as US leaders gathered to honor the former vice president and outspoken Trump critic.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025ByREUTERS
Late former US Vice President Dick Cheney's grandchildren attend a funeral service for him, at Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, DC, US, November 20, 2025.

Iran is rearming as 'Axis of Resistance' regroups - can Israel stop an inevitable war? - opinion

The longer Jerusalem waits to strike again, the more danger Tehran’s retaliation could pose. Preparations for this all but inevitable war should begin now.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByOVED LOBEL
IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Abbas Araghchi recently declared: ‘Our missile power today far surpasses that of the 12-day war,’ the writer notes.

The Iraqi cleric and ex-Houthi spokesperson breaking ranks to defend Israel online

Two Arab activists are challenging dominant regional narratives by defending Israel online, even after facing bombings, persecution, and exile.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByDANA BEN-SHIMON
Ghaith Al-Tamimi condemned the October 2025 Yom Kippur attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England.

Kurdistan’s security architecture recast as Peshmerga unification continues

The Kurdistan region has its own armed forces, the Peshmerga. Among the largest units are the KDP and PUK, which each have tens of thousands of fighters.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A KURDISH peshmerga soldier stands at a lookout near Bashiqa in northern Iraq

Iraqi PM-led coalition tops Iraq election with 46 seats, commission says

Prime Minister Sudani's bloc wins Iraq's election, but forming a new government may take months due to challenges in building a majority and balancing US-Iran influence.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025ByREUTERS
A man holds a flag of Iraq from a car with an election poster featuring current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, as supporters of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition celebrate after preliminary election results were announced in Baghdad, Iraq, November 12, 2025.

PKK’s partial withdrawal from Turkey raises questions about peace deal - analysis

The Kurdistan Workers' Party’s decision to pull back from the Turkish border raises hopes for peace but leaves crucial questions about its future actions in Iraq, Syria, and beyond.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Fighters with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) walk for a disarmament ceremony marking a significant step toward ending the decades-long conflict between Turkey and the outlawed group, in the Qandil mountains, Iraq October 26, 2025.

Iran ramps up anti-West rhetoric, expands influence in Iraq and Lebanon - analysis

Iran is strengthening ties with allies in Iraq and Lebanon while accusing the US and Israel of coercive diplomacy in its latest regional push.

NOVEMBER 16, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, September 9, 2025.

After elections, Iraq walks a tightrope between US ties and Iran’s control - analysis

Iraq’s recent election saw 329 seats contested along sectarian lines. The outcome will impact the US-Iraq security arrangement and address the growing power of Iran-backed militias.

NOVEMBER 12, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi polling officials count ballots at a polling station after closing of the polls during the country's parliamentary election in Al-Muhandiseen district in eastern Baghdad on November 11, 2025.

Iran engages in diplomatic blitz, strengthening ties with Iraq, Uzbekistan, UAE - analysis

Amid tensions with Israel and the US, Iran is ramping up diplomacy to build a "multipolar order," strengthening ties with Iraq, the UAE, and Uzbekistan to safeguard its regional influence.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
PROTESTERS, MOSTLY Houthi supporters, sit along an Iranian flag at a demonstration in support of Palestinians and Iran, in Sanaa last week. Aggression by proxies such as the Houthis must be treated as direct Iranian attacks, says the writer.