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Arab youth opinion points to instability, reform risks

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

Arab youth opinion.

US Iraq policy will aim at adaptive response to threat

Location:

IRAQ/US

This followed a February 15 attack targeting US troops stationed at Erbil airport, in the Kurdistan region, after which the administration launched its first use of force…

A new US-Iran war will play out in Iraq and beyond

Location:

IRAN/IRAQ/US

The operation, authorised by US President Donald Trump, killed Qassem Soleimani, longstanding chief of the Quds Force -- the external action wing of the Islamic Revolution Guard…

US-Gulf security alliance will weaken, but endure

Location:

GULF STATES

His priorities include reducing their opposition to the nuclear deal with Iran, securing greater Gulf commitment to the fight against Islamic State group (ISG), and ending the…

Iraqi Kurds are on course for economic independence

Location:

IRAQ

The announcement signals the KRG's intent to continue exporting oil and meet its own domestic costs independently of Baghdad. However, at the same time as the KRG is moving…

Added US sanctions on Syria may prove self-defeating

Location:

SYRIA/US

This comes as the US Congress is finalising a bill, the Caesar Act, that would substantially increase the sanctions pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. As…

Fresh Iraqi elections are likely

Location:

IRAQ

Sadr has demonstrated that forming a new government is unlikely to be possible without his tacit approval, and that such approval will not be forthcoming until after the systemic…

Iraqi Kurdistan may lose its 'safe haven' reputation

Location:

IRAQ

Baghdad and Erbil are currently negotiating a new budget agreement covering oil revenue and fiscal transfers, which could provide immediate relief. However, internal divisions are…

US-China competition will create Middle East dilemmas

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

The Middle East has long been polarised between US allies and enemies, while Beijing has historically retained a comparatively smaller footprint and rejected taking sides in…

Influencing Iraq and Syria will have costs for Turkey

Location:

TURKEY

Turkey's attempts to expand its military role in both Iraq and Syria are entangled with major shifts in its relations with the United States and Russia, and in its overall…