Iraq

Known as the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, it was looted from Iraq and made its way through several hands before Hobby Lobby purchased it for the Museum of the Bible in 2014.

Domestic tourism has been strong in Iraq's northern Kurdish region, but sites in more impoverished, insecure areas tend to be visited less. A few Iraqi tourism companies are trying to change that.

Many Iraqis — Christian and Muslim — say they are excited about the first papal visit to the country, raising hopes of religious tolerance in the face of extremist violence.

The name of the young ISIS fighter was not revealed in U.S. court proceedings, and the records are sealed. NPR has identified the fighter with the help of Iraqi officials and the teenager's family.

Gen. Frank McKenzie, who is responsible for U.S. forces in the Middle East, says the U.S. presence will drop from 5,200 to 3,000 troops in a move he says shows confidence in Iraqi army.

Heritage experts say hundreds of thousands of pieces have been looted at archaeological sites and museums. As the illegal trade in antiquities continues, Iraq is trying to get objects returned.

Crowds have seized supplies for ill relatives, and officials warn the health system could collapse. "This is a war against the coronavirus and we have lost the war," says an Iraqi official.

A U.S. military contractor abruptly laid off most of the U.S.-led coalition's Iraqi interpreters. Some have gone into hiding. "We ... will be easily hunted down," a group wrote to the U.S. military.

U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking the return of the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, purchased by Hobby Lobby for display in the Museum of the Bible, which authorities say cooperated with the investigation.

The powerful protests, which led a prime minister to resign, are reeling since influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr turned on the movement.