Iraq

By Nadejda K. Marinova (Author of Ask What You Can Do For Your (New) Country: How Host States Use Diasporas (Oxford University Press, 2017).[1] Informed Comment | – – On the fifteenth year anniversary of the Iraq war, several things are evident. One is the carnage that the war inflicted, with over 500,000 and by […]

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Iraq on Syria Strikes: We’ve seen this Movie and it doesn’t End Well

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Iraq’s foreign ministry came out strongly against the US, British and French missile strikes on Syria. In a statement issued Saturday, the ministry called the attacks “an extremely dangerous step”that could result in a weakening of regional security. Spokesman Ahmad Mahjub said, “The ministry underlines the […]

Iran

Iraq’s al-Sadr offers to mediate between Riyadh, Tehran

contributors

Middle East Monitor | – – Prominent Iraqi Shia cleric and opposition leader Muqtada al-Sadr has declared his willingness to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran with a view to mitigating tensions between the two regional powerhouses. The offer came in a Tuesday statement issued by al-Sadr’s office in response to questions regarding the possibility […]

Iraq

Why are only tinpot War Criminals Punished? What about the Architects of the Iraq War?

contributors

By Peter Singer | (Project Syndicate) | – – It is unlikely that former US President George W. Bush or any member of his administration will ever stand trial for initiating a war of aggression in Iraq. But it is still worth recounting the illegality of that act, not least because it is directly relevant […]

Iraq

Where did ISIL go? Is it regrouping for an Iraq Comeback?

contributors

Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | – – The honeymoon is over: After celebrating victory over the extremist [so-called] Islamic State group, Iraqi security forces now have to deal with a new wave of fighters who prepared to start a guerrilla war. The Iraqi army, north of Babylon. (photo: وزارة الدفاع العراقية ) Over […]

Iraq War

The Ongoing Crushing Costs for Americans of the Iraq War

contributors

By Stephanie Savell | (Otherwords.org) | – – Americans spend $32 million per hour on wars started during the Bush administration. This March marked the 15th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. In 2003, President George W. Bush and his advisers based their case for war on the idea that Saddam Hussein, then dictator […]

Iraq War

On Seeing America’s Wars Whole: Six Questions for the New York Times

contributors

By Andrew J. Bacevich | ( Tomdispatch.com) | – – Dear Mr. Sulzberger: Congratulations on assuming the reins of this nation’s — and arguably, the world’s — most influential publication. It’s the family business, of course, so your appointment to succeed your father doesn’t exactly qualify as a surprise. Even so, the responsibility for guiding […]

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Iraq: Al-Sadr & Communist Party ally against Corruption, Iranian Hegemony

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Nativist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, 44, is encouraging members of his Sadr Movement to vote in the upcoming national elections for parliament. “Vote,” he said, “and save our country from corruption.” A newly formed political party, al-Istiqama or the Upright Party, will hew the Sadrist line. […]

Iran

Are Iran and Saudi Arabia competing for the soul of Iraq?

Juan Cole

By Saleem al-Wazzan | (Niqash.org) | – – Iraqis can now visit a special visa-free zone in neighbouring Iran, over the border from Basra. Some locals see the open border as a cynical economic and political move that helps Iran, but not Iraq. 22.02.2018 | Basra Politics Postcards from Abadan, Iran, in the new visa […]