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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

Mourners gather at Bondi Pavillion for a tribute to the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 15. Photo: AFP

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?

11 Jan 2026 - 6:33AM

Taiwan

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

10 Jan 2026 - 10:46PMvideocam

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

Columns of smoke rise from Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. Photo: AFP

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

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

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch celebrates winning the Miss Universe pageant in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Friday. Photo: AP

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

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

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

Hong Kong politics

New US Consul General Julie Eadeh arrives in Hong Kong after Beijing’s approval

Eadeh faced controversy in 2019 after photos of her meeting opposition activists were seen as evidence of ‘foreign forces’ at work in city.

28 Aug 2025 - 6:25AM

New US Consul General Julie Eadeh has arrived in Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images

Middle East

Iraq starts work on IS mass grave thought to hold thousands of bodies

The project’s director said victims buried at the huge site, near Mosul, include executed soldiers, members of the Yazidi minority and city residents.

17 Aug 2025 - 10:51PMvideocam

Workers dig out human remains near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, where authorities have begun excavating a mass grave. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Iran security chief meets officials in Iraq before Lebanon visit

Ali Larijani’s first foreign trip since being appointed comes after a war with Israel and recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

12 Aug 2025 - 2:37PMvideocam

Middle East

Fire rips through Iraq shopping centre, killing at least 60

Interior ministry says many victims suffocated in bathrooms as fire gutted newly opened mall in Kut.

17 Jul 2025 - 6:57PM

United States

Trump announces new tariffs on Brazil, 6 smaller economies

‘Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,’ letters say, adding alleged deficits are threats to US national security.

11 Jul 2025 - 1:55AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump dispatched tariff letters to six more countries on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Russia

Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government of Afghanistan

The Taliban government had seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from the country after 20 years of war.

4 Jul 2025 - 2:47PMvideocam

Taliban soldiers celebrate on the second anniversary of the fall of Kabul on a street near the US embassy in August 2023. Photo: Reuters

China's military weapons

Video teases new Chinese blackout bomb that can knock out enemy power stations

Animation shared by state broadcaster shows what appears to be graphite bomb designed to disrupt command and control systems.

30 Jun 2025 - 2:35PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

30 Jun 2025 - 8:45AM

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Iraq

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}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?

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

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.

New US Consul General Julie Eadeh arrives in Hong Kong after Beijing’s approval

Eadeh faced controversy in 2019 after photos of her meeting opposition activists were seen as evidence of ‘foreign forces’ at work in city.

Iraq starts work on IS mass grave thought to hold thousands of bodies

The project’s director said victims buried at the huge site, near Mosul, include executed soldiers, members of the Yazidi minority and city residents.

Iran security chief meets officials in Iraq before Lebanon visit

Ali Larijani’s first foreign trip since being appointed comes after a war with Israel and recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Fire rips through Iraq shopping centre, killing at least 60

Interior ministry says many victims suffocated in bathrooms as fire gutted newly opened mall in Kut.

Trump announces new tariffs on Brazil, 6 smaller economies

‘Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,’ letters say, adding alleged deficits are threats to US national security.

Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government of Afghanistan

The Taliban government had seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from the country after 20 years of war.

Video teases new Chinese blackout bomb that can knock out enemy power stations

Animation shared by state broadcaster shows what appears to be graphite bomb designed to disrupt command and control systems.

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

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

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