Iraq–Turkey Tech & Water Security: Iraq’s Water Resources Ministry signed with Turkish firm Kolaysoft to digitize water monitoring, using remote meter reading, sensors, and GIS mapping to track surface/groundwater and consumption. Anti-Corruption Watch: Former Iraqi finance minister Taif Sami was summoned and placed on a judicial wanted list as a widening corruption probe reaches senior officials. Public Health & Livestock Controls: Iraq-linked foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks are driving import bans abroad, with the Philippines suspending live animal and certain animal product imports from affected countries including Iraq. Regional Security Architecture: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan expanded their Mecca defense pact to include Türkiye, with an “attack on one is attack on all” clause—raising new questions for Iraq’s neighborhood amid Hormuz tensions. Hormuz Pressure: Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until the US meets demands including compensation and sanctions relief, while Oman talks are described as nearing final stages. US–Kurdistan Logistics Shift: The US has started evacuating logistics support facilities from Harir Air Base near Erbil, aiming for a full end of US presence by late September 2026. Iraq’s Global Links: Iraq and South Korea held a preparatory meeting for the 10th session of their joint committee, covering trade, cultural and scientific exchange, and capacity building. Transport Corridor Debate: A report questions whether Iran rail links could undercut Iraq’s Grand Faw Port plans by diverting cargo away from the Faw corridor.