عراق

The Coalition Framework’s overall electoral successes in Iraq’s provincial elections is playing out in governor appointment decisions across much of the country, including in Baghdad and Basra. The ongoing competition in Kirkuk, however, highlights just how complicated power-sharing dynamics can become.

Having stopped “resisting” U.S. forces (who shoot back), militias are focusing on unarmed activists in what appears to be a coordinated crackdown on freedom of expression.

Most forces could likely be withdrawn or moved to the Kurdistan Region without harming U.S. interests—in fact, Washington might have more leverage in Baghdad without a troop presence.

The Badr Organization leader has suffered bruising blows from other Iran-backed militias seeking to exploit the group's internal dysfunction and divisions.

بعد از کشته شدن سه آمریکایی، نیروی خودخوانده "مقاومت" به جز موجی از ادعاهای مربوط به حملات جعلی، یا خنثی‌ و تکذیب‌شده، برای مدتی تقریبا غیرفعال بود؛ وضعیتی که می‌تواند از دستور ایران برای آرام کردن اوضاع حکایت داشته باشد.

بایدن اکنون انتخاب سختی در پیش دارد: اسراییل را به آتش‌بسی در غزه وادار کند، یا خطر افزایش پایدار تنش‌ با نیروهای مورد حمایت ایران در منطقه را به جان بخرد.

After Kataib Hezbollah announced it was suspending attacks on U.S. forces, the self-styled “resistance” became a hot mess of recriminations.

Washington’s ever-narrowing Iraq policy has left it with unpalatable choices, but muddling through is a better short-term option than allowing the relationship to rupture.

Abu Hussein has unveiled a dramatic gambit to sidestep Washington's threatened response to the killing of three U.S. soldiers.