Iran

The ongoing civil protests in the United States have drawn the attention of observers and commentators abroad, including in the Middle East, many of whom have expressed dismay at the US government’s heavy-handed response.

Reports of the capture by the Iraqi forces of the alleged leader of ISIS have come at a very important time for new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi. Mr. Al-Kadhimi has made the fight against the remnants of ISIS in Iraq one of his government’s main priorities.

Iraq’s political instability continues as Iraqi politicians attempt to cobble together a governing coalition acceptable to all parties.

As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic wreaks havoc throughout the world, perennial regional debates and disagreements seem to dwarf in comparison to the challenges lying ahead. That is not to say they are forgotten.

Iranians went to the polls last week to vote in the country’s parliamentary elections. The turnout, despite government reports, was quite low compared to previous elections.

As the world awaits the next chapter in the US-Iran saga, Iraq finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Given Iraq;s reliance on U.S. security assistance, Iraqi government officials have been hard-pressed to take any concrete actions regarding the U.S.