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Iraq

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iraq. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Baghdad

Head of State

President Abdul Latif Rashid

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani

A protester holds a portrait of former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki during a protest against US President Donald Trump near the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday. Photo: dpa

Middle East

Iraq’s parliament delays presidential vote again amid US pressure

In Iraq, by convention, a Shiite Muslim is prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

1 Feb 2026 - 9:04PM

Middle East

Trump warns Iraq against returning former prime minister to power

28 Jan 2026 - 3:02PM

Middle East

Iraq elects president, to choose PM amid US pressure to cut Iran ties

25 Jan 2026 - 9:30PM

Saudi Arabia

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Yemeni separatists wave South Yemen and UAE flags during a protest against Saudi Arabia in Aden on December 30. Photo: EPA

Syria

Syrian deal unravels as sides clash and Isis prisoners escape

Integration agreement with the SDF falters amid reports that hundreds of militants fled prison as government forces moved in.

20 Jan 2026 - 12:24PM

Pakistan

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

16 Jan 2026 - 11:12AMvideocam

Middle East

Explainer | Who are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and what is their role in the crackdown?

Reporting directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, this ‘empire within an empire’ wields immense wealth, intelligence, and suppresses dissent.

14 Jan 2026 - 5:50PM

Iran

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

14 Jan 2026 - 12:11PMvideocam

Australia

Letters | Bondi response must go beyond policing and towards rebuilding unity

Readers discuss social cohesion in Australia, a commission into the Bondi shooting, and US interventions.

11 Jan 2026 - 11:30AM

Gun violence in the US

Who is Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who killed US woman Renee Nicole Good?

Earlier this year, the ‘expert marksman’ shot multiple taser probes into a man who dragged him 100 metres with his car during a traffic stop.

11 Jan 2026 - 6:33AM

A protester holds a sign reading “Arrest Jonathan Rorss” during a rally for Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on Thursday. Photo: AP Photo

Taiwan

How PLA could use ‘decapitation’ strike to counter Taiwan’s ‘porcupine’ strategy

Mainland Chinese military magazine warns of ‘threat’ posed by island’s asymmetric warfare plan and calls for multipronged response.

10 Jan 2026 - 10:46PMvideocam

Special forces soldiers train with a Stinger portable air defence missile in New Taipei City in July. Photo: Handout

Syria

Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Syria’s Aleppo after truce

Kurdish fighters defy Aleppo truce, sparking fears of wider conflict amid civilian evacuations and international pressure.

9 Jan 2026 - 8:41PM

North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

9 Jan 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

United States

AI deepfakes flood social media after dramatic US raid on Maduro

Fake images of Venezuela’s abducted former leader Nicolas Maduro in US custody and recycled war photos are drowning out real news.

8 Jan 2026 - 1:06AM

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are escorted to a Manhattan court to face US federal charges on Monday. Photo: Reuters

China trade

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

1 Jan 2026 - 10:39PMvideocam

Vendors work at the Yiwu International Trade Market, a vast emporium for wholesale goods often dubbed the “world’s supermarket”, in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. The city has recorded strong growth in exports this year despite the US-China trade war. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

War and conflict

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

Middle East

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:58AM

Houthi fighters participate in a rally marking the second anniversary of the attacks carried by Hamas against Israel, in Sana’a, Yemen in October. Photo: EPA

Thailand

Mexican model who was called ‘dumb’ by Thai host crowned Miss Universe

Bosch overcame insults to win the contest considered one of the ‘big four’ of global beauty pageants.

21 Nov 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

Art

He asked taxi drivers in Iraq to choose their destination. These are his photos

The result of trips to unknown destinations, Thomas Chan’s photos in his Hong Kong exhibition are a study in trust, war and identity.

19 Nov 2025 - 4:15PM

Middle East

Iraq PM Sudani claims election win after early results show decisive lead

The incumbent prime minister’s candidate list is in the lead with more than 1.3 million votes, about 217,500 more than the next closest list.

13 Nov 2025 - 7:39AM

Supporters of incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani wave flags in front of a screen displaying his portrait as they celebrate in Baghdad on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Iraq voters turn out in numbers as region watches on

Over 12 million people took part despite influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr calling on his supporters to boycott the election.

12 Nov 2025 - 6:12AM

Iraqi soldiers patrol Sadr City, Baghdad, during parliamentary elections on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Energy

Opec agrees to output increase, moderates plans due to glut fears

Opec has raised output targets by more than 2.7 million bpd since April but slowed the pace in October and November amid predictions of oversupply.

2 Nov 2025 - 9:31PM

Italy

Pope Leo visits ship sailing the Mediterranean on peace mission

Young people of different faiths have been sailing the Mediterranean on the Bel Espoir schooner vessel to promote peace and dialogue.

18 Oct 2025 - 6:11PM

United States

US marks 24th anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks: ‘you have to remember’

Loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people killed will take part in ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honouring the victims.

11 Sep 2025 - 9:31PM

A firefighter stands in tribute in front of a FDNY memorial wall in the World Trade Centre area ahead of the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks ceremony, in New York on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Energy

Key Opec members send ‘big message’ with higher oil production

Opec has in recent years implemented several output cuts amounting to a total of almost six million barrels per day.

7 Sep 2025 - 11:42PMvideocam

Headquarters of Opec in Vienna, Austria. Oil ministers in Opec’s V8 grouping – comprising Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman – will increase production by 137,000 barrels a day from October. Photo: AFP

My Take

My Take | Kim Jong-un in Beijing shows why it is good to have nuclear bombs

The essential difference between the North Korean leader and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is that between the haves and the have-nots of the ultimate weapon.

7 Sep 2025 - 9:00PM

United States

US sanctions shipping network for smuggling Iran oil

The organisation is accused of covertly blending Iranian oil with Iraqi oil, then intentionally marketing it as solely of Iraqi origin.

3 Sep 2025 - 2:10AMvideocam

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Iraq

Iraq’s parliament delays presidential vote again amid US pressure

In Iraq, by convention, a Shiite Muslim is prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

Trump warns Iraq against returning former prime minister to power

Iraq elects president, to choose PM amid US pressure to cut Iran ties

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

Syrian deal unravels as sides clash and Isis prisoners escape

Integration agreement with the SDF falters amid reports that hundreds of militants fled prison as government forces moved in.

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Who are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and what is their role in the crackdown?

Reporting directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, this ‘empire within an empire’ wields immense wealth, intelligence, and suppresses dissent.

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

Letters | Bondi response must go beyond policing and towards rebuilding unity

Readers discuss social cohesion in Australia, a commission into the Bondi shooting, and US interventions.

Who is Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who killed US woman Renee Nicole Good?

Earlier this year, the ‘expert marksman’ shot multiple taser probes into a man who dragged him 100 metres with his car during a traffic stop.

How PLA could use ‘decapitation’ strike to counter Taiwan’s ‘porcupine’ strategy

Mainland Chinese military magazine warns of ‘threat’ posed by island’s asymmetric warfare plan and calls for multipronged response.

Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Syria’s Aleppo after truce

Kurdish fighters defy Aleppo truce, sparking fears of wider conflict amid civilian evacuations and international pressure.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

AI deepfakes flood social media after dramatic US raid on Maduro

Fake images of Venezuela’s abducted former leader Nicolas Maduro in US custody and recycled war photos are drowning out real news.

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

Mexican model who was called ‘dumb’ by Thai host crowned Miss Universe

Bosch overcame insults to win the contest considered one of the ‘big four’ of global beauty pageants.

He asked taxi drivers in Iraq to choose their destination. These are his photos

The result of trips to unknown destinations, Thomas Chan’s photos in his Hong Kong exhibition are a study in trust, war and identity.

Iraq PM Sudani claims election win after early results show decisive lead

The incumbent prime minister’s candidate list is in the lead with more than 1.3 million votes, about 217,500 more than the next closest list.

Iraq voters turn out in numbers as region watches on

Over 12 million people took part despite influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr calling on his supporters to boycott the election.

Opec agrees to output increase, moderates plans due to glut fears

Opec has raised output targets by more than 2.7 million bpd since April but slowed the pace in October and November amid predictions of oversupply.

Pope Leo visits ship sailing the Mediterranean on peace mission

Young people of different faiths have been sailing the Mediterranean on the Bel Espoir schooner vessel to promote peace and dialogue.

US marks 24th anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks: ‘you have to remember’

Loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people killed will take part in ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honouring the victims.

Key Opec members send ‘big message’ with higher oil production

Opec has in recent years implemented several output cuts amounting to a total of almost six million barrels per day.

My Take | Kim Jong-un in Beijing shows why it is good to have nuclear bombs

The essential difference between the North Korean leader and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is that between the haves and the have-nots of the ultimate weapon.

US sanctions shipping network for smuggling Iran oil

The organisation is accused of covertly blending Iranian oil with Iraqi oil, then intentionally marketing it as solely of Iraqi origin.

Explainer | Who are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and what is their role in the crackdown?

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve