Iraq
Middle Corridor in play
Squeezed by a sanctioned Russia to the north and a war prone Middle East to the south, the Middle Corridor that runs through Central Asia and the Caucasus is back in play as the main route connecting Europe to Asia by land.
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage.
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista.
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Iran reopens six airports as commercial aviation resumes
Iran has reopened six airports including Mehrabad, Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Birjand, Gorgan and Zahedan as commercial aviation resumes following the ceasefire with the US and Israel.
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey wants to see a slew of Gulf and other pipelines converge on its territory to ensure the world will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas.
Syria takes control of all former US military bases
Syria has taken full control of all military sites formerly used by US forces, completing the handover process.
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East.
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego. That time is over.
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Dana Gas resumes operations at Iraq’s Khor Mor field as tensions calm
Dana Gas has resumed production at the Khor Mor gas facility in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq after weeks of intermittent operations.
Iraq says Tigris river pollution contained after sediment surge from Diyala
Iraq's environment minister says authorities have contained a Tigris river pollution crisis caused by sediment from water releases, days after a mass fish die-off in Wasit province killed over 1,000 tonnes of fish.
Kremlin flags Hormuz risk, cautious on Magyar victory in Hungarian elections
The Kremlin has warned that a potential US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would deliver a direct shock to global markets, even as Moscow positions itself as both an energy anchor and a diplomatic intermediary in a rapidly widening crisis.
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Quality matters: how the Hormuz crisis tests refinery flexibility
The disruption highlights a key reality often overlooked in the oil market: while volumes may be globally fungible, crude quality is not.
COMMENT: The US naval blockade of Iran won't work
The US is moving to choke Iran’s oil lifeline. The market is starting to price something much bigger because the Trump administration naval blockade of Iran is not going to work.
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf.
US naval showdown with Iran in strait of Hormuz
As talks got underway in Islamabad between Iran and the US to find a ceasefire formula, a dramatic showdown was playing out in the Strait of Hormuz, as several US Navy vessels attempted to sneak through and exit the Persian Gulf,
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command says forces remain "on the trigger" and vows to keep control of the Strait of Hormuz, hours before US-Iran ceasefire talks are due to begin at Islamabad's Serena Hotel.
US-Iran ceasefire eases oil prices but Gulf economies showing strain – Oxford Economics
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran has led to a sharp fall in oil prices, but fresh data points to mounting economic damage across Gulf economies and rising uncertainty in Egypt.
Flydubai flight first to cross Iraqi airspace after 40-day suspension
A Flydubai aircraft became the first commercial flight to pass through Iraqi airspace after a suspension of around 40 days caused by heightened regional security tensions.