Iraq – War Watch

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Loss of Emirates Further Weakens OPEC’s Influence
ByIvan Penn and Rebecca F. Elliott April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

The exit of the United Arab Emirates is the most significant in a series of departures from the oil cartel in recent years.

Read More Loss of Emirates Further Weakens OPEC’s Influence
al-Zaidi, Ali (1986- ) | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Iraq’s Prime Minister-Designate Thrust Into U.S.-Iran Power Struggle
ByErika Solomon and Falih Hassan April 28, 2026April 30, 2026

Ali al-Zaidi, a political unknown, has been tasked with forming a new coalition government. Now, he must grapple with growing U.S. pressure to curb Iranian influence over Iraq.

Read More Iraq’s Prime Minister-Designate Thrust Into U.S.-Iran Power Struggle
Ali al-Zaidi | Appointments and Executive Changes | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Maliki, Nuri Kamal al- | Politics and Government | Sudani, Mohammed Shia al- | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

Iraq Taps Businessman, Ali al-Zaidi, to Form New Government
ByEphrat Livni April 27, 2026

After months of tensions and pressure from both the U.S. and Iran, Ali al-Zaidi, a businessman, was named as prime minister-designate.

Read More Iraq Taps Businessman, Ali al-Zaidi, to Form New Government
Budgets and Budgeting | Central Bank of Iraq | Federal Reserve Bank of New York | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Landau, Christopher T (1963- ) | Maliki, Nuri Kamal al- | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Strait of Hormuz | Sudani, Mohammed Shia al- | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | US Dollar (Currency)

US Withholding Iraq’s Own Oil Money Over Ties to Iran
ByErika Solomon and Raja Abdulrahim April 22, 2026

The United States has halted dollar shipments to Iraq’s cash-based economy in an effort to force the Baghdad government to distance itself from Iran. The money comes from Iraq’s oil revenues.

Read More US Withholding Iraq’s Own Oil Money Over Ties to Iran
Defense and Military Forces | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Maliki, Nuri Kamal al- | Politics and Government | Sudani, Mohammed Shia al- | United States | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Turns Up Pressure on Iraq to Distance Itself From Iran
ByRaja Abdulrahim, Falih Hassan, Edward Wong and Erika Solomon April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

Washington is demanding that the Baghdad government dismantle Iran-backed Iraqi militias that have been attacking Americans and U.S. sites there recently.

Read More U.S. Turns Up Pressure on Iraq to Distance Itself From Iran
Disasters and Emergencies | Economic Conditions and Trends | Infrastructure (Public Works) | International Trade and World Market | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kuwait | Natural Gas | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Persian Gulf | Pipelines | Ports | Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Ships and Shipping | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United Arab Emirates | United States | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Strait of Hormuz May Not Return to Normal, Whether It’s Open or Closed
ByRebecca F. Elliott April 21, 2026

The energy industry is planning for a future where the choke point on Iran’s southern coast is a lot less important.

Read More Strait of Hormuz May Not Return to Normal, Whether It’s Open or Closed
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Child marriage | Domestic violence | Donald Trump | Feminism | Forced marriage | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Life and style | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Protest | Society | Violence against women and girls | Women | World news

‘Will they kill us too?’ Murder of leading feminist has chilling effect on Iraq’s activists
ByMaria Talal April 21, 2026

Yanar Mohammed’s assassination comes amid a number of killings as fellow campaigners warn women’s rights are going backwardsIn early March, two unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on Iraq’s most notable women’s rights activist, Yanar Mohamme…

Read More ‘Will they kill us too?’ Murder of leading feminist has chilling effect on Iraq’s activists
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kuwait | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | US foreign policy | US military | US national security | US news | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

US urges contractor to evacuate workers from Kuwait and Iraq over worries of Iran-backed attacks
ByKatie McQue April 20, 2026

After Guardian reports about danger to V2X employees, sources say state department raised concerns with defense contractorSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US government has called on the defense contracto…

Read More US urges contractor to evacuate workers from Kuwait and Iraq over worries of Iran-backed attacks
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Media | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | US news | US press and publishing | World news

American journalist released a week after being kidnapped in Iraq
ByAssociated Press April 7, 2026April 8, 2026

Freelancer Shelly Kittleson was reportedly held by Iran-backed militia which says she must now leave countryThe US journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped from a Baghdad street corner last week, has been released, secretary of state Marco Rubio …

Read More American journalist released a week after being kidnapped in Iraq
internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kataib Hezbollah | Kidnapping and Hostages | Kittleson, Shelly | News and News Media | United States International Relations

Shelly Kittleson, American Journalist Abducted in Iraq, Is Freed
ByFalih Hassan, Pranav Baskar and Erika Solomon April 7, 2026April 8, 2026

The journalist, Shelly Kittleson, was abducted by a militia allied with Iran and held for a week. Iraqi officials say she was freed in exchange for the release of militia members.

Read More Shelly Kittleson, American Journalist Abducted in Iraq, Is Freed