The closure blocks a major source of funding for the Rojava administration, a U.S. ally in the fight against IS.
As Iraq begins to suffer the intensifying effects of climate change, competition for water threatens to spark conflict.
In a single week, deadly insurgent operations near the Khurmala, Avana, Bai Hassan, and Sarqala oil fields showcase IS's firepower and persistence.
Demonstrators have blocked highways and picketed government buildings in Sulaimaniya and Erbil, demanding a further unwinding of government austerity measures.
Unprecedented droughts are drying up farm land, driving migration to cities, and compounding economic hardships and instability.
Fears over cyclical violence following an Islamic State attack near the Mansuriya gas field in Diyala province has driven substantial civilian displacement.
The Kurdish separatist group is making an unprecedented foray into Iraqi politics, using upcoming national elections to challenge Iraqi Kurdistan's ruling party.
The Islamic State militant group is staging increasingly bold attacks on both security forces and civilians in northern Iraq, with energy infrastructure also at risk.
Developments in Afghanistan have cast a shadow over the U.S. role in supporting anti-ISIS forces in Iraq, but the longstanding Peshmerga commander says there's no sign of an American pull out.
Gaps remain between Iraqi and Kurdistan region security forces in northern Iraq, and insurgents are still able to carry out attacks against energy infrastructure, kidnap and kill civilians, and ambush security forces.
