Comment: Russia may be recalibrating its strategy in Syria, but it's unconvincing to think it would consider the risk of replacing Assad a worthwhile one, writes Gareth Browne.
Analysis: Next year will see the most competitive elections Iraq has seen, writes Gareth Browne.
Comment: Ex-President Masoud Barzani was the force driving a referendum that was doomed to fail - and ultimately ruined long-term chances for independence, writes Gareth Browne.
Analysis: Iraq's prime minister faces political turmoil ahead of next year's election, but with a string of recent successes he may yet survive, writes Gareth Browne.
Comment: Abadi's recapture of Kirkuk doesn't render him an enemy of the Kurdish cause, but he and the Kurds need each other to avoid a vicious divorce, writes Gareth Browne.
Comment: Haider al-Abadi must temper Baghdad’s response, without appearing weak, or Iraq will be left with divisions from which it may never recover, writes Gareth Browne.
Comment: Veteran Kurdish statesman Jalal Talabani's death comes as the Iraqi-Kurdistan region moves one step closer to independence, but still with many of the same divisions, writes Gareth Browne.
In-depth: With the military gathering outside Hawija, people who have suffered now have the confidence to fight back, locals tell Gareth Browne.
Analysis: After the fall of Hawija, it is highly possible that the Islamic State commanders may regroup and start a new insurgency - so what is already known about them?
Comment: In the eyes of Fifa, the Syrian football team is politically neutral. But turning a blind eye to politics is in itself a political action, writes Gareth Browne.
Analysis: After Mosul and Tal Afar, attention is turning to Hawija, a pocket of Iraqi territory long deemed ungovernable and essentially lawless, writes Gareth Browne.
Comment: Islamic State's strength in Tal Afar was overestimated, as was the number of civilians within the city, writes Gareth Browne.
Sign up to get this in your inbox every week
Sign up to get this in your inbox every week
Want to keep up to date with
the latest news from the Middle East?
Subscribe to our newsletter today!
We use our own cookies and third-party cookies to measure traffic to our website and analyse browsers' behaviour, with a view to improving the services we offer
If you continue browsing, we consider that you accept the use of cookies. View our privacy policy
We use our own cookies and third-party cookies to measure traffic to our website and analyse browsers' behaviour, with a view to improving the services we offer
If you continue browsing, we consider that you accept the use of cookies. View our privacy policy