The story: Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani is engaged in high-profile diplomacy to shape a joint regional response to the events in Syria. Sudani’s stepped-up engagement has entailed several meetings with senior US officials and regional leaders. Meanwhile, with Tehran perceived to be on the backfoot, the premier has come under growing foreign pressure to curb the influence of Iraqi armed groups backed by Iran.

The coverage: As Syrian rebels consolidated their hold on the Syrian capital of Damascus, the official Iraqi News Agency reported that...