Iraq
Iraq, Kurdish troops make gains in Mosul battle
Iraq's military forces have made gains in a large-scale operation to retake Mosul, Islamic States' last major stronghold in the country.
The advance on Mosul begins
Iraq's Prime Minister promises the campaign to liberate the country has begun as troops and Kurdish forces band together to advance on the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul. Audio
Battle to retake Mosul from IS begins
A major military offensive to reclaim the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State has begun, the country's government says.
Hugh Sebag-Montefiore: the battle of the Somme
Kim Hill talks to Hugh Sebag-Montefiore about his new history, Somme: Into the Breach, a fresh account of the most famous battle of World War 1, which saw over a million casualties, including some… Audio
Planning for a post Islamic State Iraq
The days of Islamic State controlling large swaths of territory and major cities in Iraq and Syria appear to be numbered with an assault one of its last strongholds, the Iraqi city of Mosul, expected… Audio
Andy Bearpark: Iraq, Thatcher and yoga
Kim Hill talks to Andy Bearpark arrived in New Zealand in 2013 after a 40-year career as a war zone reconstruction expert. He was one of Margaret Thatcher's five Private Secretaries for three years… Audio
Iraq's 'Garden of Eden' named UNESCO World Heritage Site
A wetland thought to be the biblical Garden of Eden, and almost completely drained under Saddam Hussein, has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inside an ISIS arms factory
Marcus Wilson is the managing director of Conflict Armaments Research. The research group has been inside an ISIS arms factory in Fallujah and found evidence of coordinated manufacturing and a… Audio
NZ govt made 'right judgement' over Iraq
A highly critical UK report into the Iraq War completely justifies Helen Clark's decision not to send NZ troops in 2003, the Labour Party says.
Chilcot report seen as justifying NZ govt stance in 2003
New Zealand pundits and politicians have interpreted the Chilcot inquiry's report as vindication of Helen Clark's Labour government choosing not to send combat troops to Iraq. Audio
Chilcott report
Al Gillespie discusses the Chilcott report into the British invasion of Iraq in 2003. Audio
The Expats: Caitlin Smith on living in Northern Iraq
Caitlin Smith lives in the city of Sulimaniya which is near the Iranian border Audio, Gallery
British army officer says Chilcot report outlines many failings
A British officer who was on the front lines in Iraq says the Chilcot report is very candid and outlines the many failings of those behind the decision to go to war. We review the inquiry with Colonel… Audio
Seven-year British inquiry into Iraq invasion released
A seven-year British inquiry into the Iraq war has delivered a crushing assessment of Britain's role in the US-led invasion in 2003. the BBC's Security Correspondent, Frank Gardner, has been reading… Audio
Chilcot inquiry leaves door open to prosecutions over Iraq war
One of Britain's best-known commentators on the law Joshua Rozenberg talks to us about the Chilcot reoprt. He says the inquiry is highly critical of Tony Blair and relatives of the victims are now… Audio
More blasts hit mourning Baghdad
A round of blasts has been heard in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, as the city mourns the deaths of at least 175 people killed in a massive suicide bombing.
Iraq bomb death toll rises to 165
The number of people killed in Sunday's suicide bomb attack in the Iraqi capital Baghdad has risen to 165, officials have said.
Depression descends on Karada after bombings
AFP journalist Ammar Karim was one of those caught in the crossfire in attacks on Baghdad at the weekend in a suburb full of people celebrating the approach of Eid, shopping and having fun together. Video, Audio
Bombing was IS sending a deadly message
The weekend's deadly blasts in Iraq are about revenge and are an attempt by Islamic State to drive a wedge between the Sunni and Shia population, analysts say.
Former US ambassador to Turkey says IS to blame
This week's deadly attack on Istanbul Airport comes as Islamic State group is losing ground in Iraq. The former US ambassador to Turkey and Iraq, James Jeffrey, tells Susie Ferguson the latest… Audio