Iraq

Voices from the Arab press: Education across the Middle East

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER Mostafa Kamal Madbouly speaks to the media during a press conference for the Grand Egyptian Museum opening, in Giza, Nov. 1.
A member of the Iraqi security forces stands by a destroyed vehicle that was carrying rockets amdist sacks of flour, in the district of al-Baghdadi in al-Anbar province on July 8, 2021.

Iraq moves to reclaim Ain al-Assad as US-led coalition ends mission

Adnan Faihan, nominated by the Coordination Framework for the position of first deputy speaker, speaks to the media on the day of the first session of the newly elected parliament, where members are set to be sworn in and begin the process of electing a speaker and two deputies, in Baghdad, Iraq Dec

Haibat al-Halbousi elected Iraq’s parliament speaker as new legislature convenes

A young Iraqi girl who has reached the age of wearing a hijab, is clothed in the head covering worn by many Muslim women for the first time during a ceremony organised at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq's southern city of Basra on December 11, 2025.

After Iraq legalizes child marriage, Baghdad bridal market booms as young girls sold to older men


Iraqi Sunnis divided over upcoming vote for parliament speaker

Iraq’s top leadership is divided along sectarian lines, with the president being Kurdish and the prime minister usually a Shi’ite. The lower-level speaker of parliament's role goes to Sunnis.

HUSSEIN MOUNIS, Member of the Iraqi Parliament votes at a polling station inside Al-Rasheed Hotel during the parliamentary election in Baghdad, Iraq, November 11, 2025.

Christian communities grow slowly as share of population falls in Middle East, North Africa

Analysts say the pattern is driven by a mix of factors: outward migration, lower birth rates, and increasingly, disaffiliation or conversion.

A large decorated Christmas tree is lit as a crowd watches a live performance on stage during the tree-lighting ceremony in Manger Square in Bethlehem, in the West Bank

Iraqi militias may disarm over US-Israel threats, 30 million light weapons outside state control

With 90% of Iranian-backed groups agreeing to surrender weapons, experts warn that secret stockpiles, divided loyalties, and political bargaining could undermine the process.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attends a military parade for the members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) marking its eighth anniversary, in Diyala province, Iraq July 23, 2022.

Christmas passes peacefully in the Middle East

Christmas was celebrated by Christian communities across the region, including in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.

Iraqis visit a Christmas market set-up at the foot of the city's ancient Citadel in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi's northern autonomous Kurdish region, on Christman eve, December 24, 2025.

Following shutdown, Iraq expects Iranian gas supplies to resume within a week, official says

The electricity ministry said on Tuesday that the flow of gas from Iran had been halted due to the shutdown of some generating units and load shedding at others.

Iranian flag overlayed with a rising stock graph and 3D printed gas pump miniature are seen in this illustration taken June 23, 2025.

Iraq says gas supplies from Iran have been halted as Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign kicks in

The ministry reported that 4,000 to 4,500 megawatts of power have been lost from the electrical system due to the halt in Iranian gas supplies.

Cracked brick wall painted with a Iranian flag on the left and a Iraqi flag on the right.

A Kurdish crisis and a missing American: Iran’s expanding influence in Iraqi Kurdistan - opinion

An internal Kurdish power feud has triggered mass arrests, alleged executions, and the unresolved detention of an American veteran amid rising Iranian influence.

Lahur Talabany, co-leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party, is seen during an interview with Reuters in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq May 3, 2021; illustrative.

Is Pakistan pushing for a greater role in the Middle East over South Asia? - analysis

Several recent meetings indicate Pakistan’s potential shift from a focus on South Asia to West Asia. This may also reflect its intention to work more closely with the US under Donald Trump.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 17, 2025.

Iranian-backed militias may be weighing disarmament amid Iraq political shift

US Envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, posted on X overnight between December 21 and 22 that the steps being taken by “armed groups” in Iraq are “welcome and encouraging.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attends a military parade for the members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) marking its eighth anniversary, in Diyala province, Iraq July 23, 2022.

Baghdad’s showdown with Iranian-backed militias could reshape Iraq’s future - analysis

Calls grow to disarm the militias in Iraq, but Kataib Hezbollah refuses to comply.

A mourner attends the funeral of a commander from Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah armed group who was killed in what they called a "Zionist attack" in the Syrian capital Damascus on Friday, during a funeral in Baghdad, Iraq September 22, 2024.

Kurdish PM Barzani meets with Egypt's Sisi to discuss Middle East stability, trade deals

Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo. Both the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Egypt play important roles in the region.

 Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani meets with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (not in picture) during the Munich Security conference in Munich , southern Germany February 14, 2020.