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Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump during a campaign event in Pennsylvania in October. Trump has picked Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel. Photo: Reuters

Will Trump’s cabinet picks ignite tensions in the Middle East and South Asia?

While Israel and India may be ‘happy’ with Trump’s nominees, analysts say they have raised fears of conflict with Iran and regional instability.

Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib awarded US$42 million from US defence contractor

Iran preparing to strike Israel from Iraq within days, US report says

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Pro-Iran protesters storm offices of Saudi-linked TV channel in Iraq

The ransack came following the airing of a report referring to commanders of Tehran-backed militant groups as “terrorists”.

Iraqi activists hold the Palestine and Lebanon flag during a gathering at Al-firdos square in central Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday. Dozens of activists gather in central Baghdad to denounce the ongoing Israeli military strikes and operations in both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Photo; EPA/EFE

Pro-Iran groups ransack Saudi television channel’s Iraq office

It followed a report by Saudi broadcaster MBC that referred to the leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups as ‘terrorists’.

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Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza, southern Lebanon before October 7 anniversary

Israel is battling Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as it prepares to strike Iran for a ballistic missile attack.

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Opinion | How a wider Middle East war could bring a world recession

Volatile oil prices, shaky investor confidence and prospects of interest rate increases threaten a global slowdown if Israel’s war expands.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Can China’s military jets find favour in arms markets dominated by US, Russia?

From Central Asia to Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Chinese-made warplanes offer an alternative to an increasing number of nations.

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Opinion | Don’t hate people for their political leaders’ wars and crimes

It is the leaders, not the regular people, who use the military might of nations to invade other countries and oppress other peoples.

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Iraqi women fear rise in child marriages as lawmakers mull more say for clerics

Proposed amendments would allow Iraqis to turn to religious courts on issues of family law, including marriage

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Many Iraqi women have reacted with horror, holding protests outside parliament and campaigning against the changes on social media. Photo: AFP

15 Islamic State militants killed in desert raid by US and Iraqi forces

The US military says the joint operation targeted the Isis militants in Iraq’s western Anbar Desert region.

US and Iraqi forces said 15 militants were killed in a joint operation targetting Islamic State. File photo: AP

28 killed as bus carrying Pakistan pilgrims crashes in Iran

The pilgrims had been on their way to Iraq to commemorate the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, at the hands of the Muslim Umayyad forces in the Battle of Karbala.

Top Iraqi Shiite cleric warns of Middle East escalation

Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani warned of the risk of a regional escalation with potentially “catastrophic consequences”.

Former ‘IS bride’, Shamima Begum, loses UK citizenship removal appeal bid

Shamima Begum had hoped to challenge an earlier ruling in which she lost an appeal against the removal of her citizenship.

British-born Shamima Begum, who went to Syria as a schoolgirl and married an Islamic State fighter, has been refused permission to appeal the removal of her British citizenship by the UK Supreme Court. Photo: AP

Blinken warns Iran and Israel not to ‘escalate’ conflict in Middle East

Iran has vowed a response after Israel was suspected of killing Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

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People take part in a march in Saida, Lebanon to protest against the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukur. Photo: AFP

Pakistani with Iran ties charged in US political assassinations plot

US prosecutors said Asif Merchant, 46, orchestrated a plot to kill an unidentified politician or US government officials.

China’s ‘coercive behaviour’ scrutinised at US-Australia talks

‘Shared security challenges’ tackled by two allies as ministerial consultations feature each country’s top defence and diplomatic officials.

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US personnel wounded in attack on Iraq base as Middle East teeters on brink

Rocket attack on a base added to heightened regional tensions over an expected Iranian counter-attack on Israel.

Ain al-Assad air base hosting US forces in Iraq in the western Anbar province. File photo: AFP

Only path to Middle East peace is through talks

Assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh only adds to the potential for a wider conflict and undermines efforts by China to broker a ceasefire.

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Biden promises Netanyahu ‘new US defensive military deployments’ as Israel braces for revenge

Benjamin Netanyahu said attackers would pay a ‘very heavy price’ after Israel’s enemies threatened retaliation for assassinations.

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Opinion | The rules-based order isn’t working. It’s time for an alternative

A clear guiding principle can help countries overcome different priorities and diverging ideas about global governance.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

‘Julian Assange is free’: WikiLeaks founder leaves UK in deal with US

The WikiLeaks founder is due to plead guilty this week to violating US espionage law, in a deal that will end his imprisonment in Britain and allow him to return home to Australia.

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Julian Assange boarding a private jet on Monday. Photo: @wikileaks via X

Iran-backed groups to fight ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Hezbollah against Israel

Officials from Lebanese and Iraqi groups backed by Iran say Iran-backed fighters from around the region will join in if war erupts on the Lebanon-Israel border.

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Greece denies report of brutality to migrants, caused deaths of dozens at sea

BBC investigation alleged Greece coastguard caused the deaths of 43 migrants in pushback operations in 2020-2023.

WikiLeaks’ Assange extradition appeal to be heard next month

US authorities want to put Assange on trial for divulging US military secrets about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A protester stands outside the High Court in London A British court has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal against an order that he be extradited to the US on espionage charges. Photo: AP

Opinion | Amid great power rivalry, middle powers are carving out new trade routes

It’s not just China – from India to Russia and the Middle East, states are collaborating over trade corridors as an alternative to US power structures.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (second left) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (foreground, right) attend the ceremony to sign a four-way memorandum of understanding between Iraq, Turkey, Qatar and the UAE to cooperate in the Development Road project, in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 22. Photo: AP

Opinion | China’s rush to fill power vacuum in Iraq could backfire

China is seizing an opportunity in the Middle East to improve its energy security and global influence, with Iraq a particular beneficiary. This push has its risks, though, and Beijing’s neutrality will face challenges in a region fraught with long-standing rivalries and competing interests.

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Iran’s cabinet holds emergency session after President Raisi’s helicopter crash

Iran’s first vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, could become president in the event of Ebrahim Raisi’s death, according to protocol.

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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
last updated:
25 September, 2024
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