Month: July 2009

Saturday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 23 Wounded

Updated at 10:07 p.m. EDT, July 18, 2009 Today’s observances at the Imam Musa shrine in Baghdad suffered no attacks even though the millions of Shi’ite pilgrims who traveled there could have been potential targets for terror. Still, at least nine Iraqis were killed and 23 were wounded in other violence. No Coalition deaths were reported, but two Xe (formerly Blackwater) contractors were killed in a helicopter crash outside Baghdad; two more were wounded. In Arbil, Kurdish politicians rejected the partitioning of Kirkuk (At Tamim) province into four sections.

Iran Opposition Shows Life Around Friday Prayer

TEHRAN – Amid a flurry of anticipation and speculation, former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani led Friday prayers in Tehran this week. The event set off massive protests around the first official appearance of several opposition leaders since the crackdown on protesters following the disputed Jun. 12 presidential election. Rafsanjani, who heads the powerful Expediency … Continue reading “Iran Opposition Shows Life Around Friday Prayer”

Israeli Soldiers Talk About War Crimes

JERUSALEM — Israel continues to brush off allegations of human rights violations during its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza launched at the end of December. A series of reports on such violations through the 22-day campaign come soon after completion of fieldwork by the UN human rights four-person fact-finding team headed by South African … Continue reading “Israeli Soldiers Talk About War Crimes”

New, Old Weapons Systems Never Die

In what is shaping up as one of the most consequential battles of his six-month-old presidency, Barack Obama finds himself in the trenches alongside his former Republican rival, Sen. John McCain, fighting hard to end production of an advance fighter jet that much of the defense establishment considers a wasteful boondoggle. Not only do they … Continue reading “New, Old Weapons Systems Never Die”

Friday: 3 U.S. Soldiers, 12 Iraqis Killed; 68 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 5:03 p.m. EDT, July 17, 2009 At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 68 more were wounded on a busy prayer day. At least six bombings were directed at Shi’ite pilgrims traveling through Baghdad. Separately, three U.S. soldiers were killed during a Katyusha rocket attack at a base just outside of Basra at the airport.

US to Admit Palestinian Refugees from Iraq

Approximately 1,350 Palestinian refugees from Iraq are being considered for resettlement in the U.S. after being referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). "Really for the first time, the United States is recognizing a Palestinian refugee population that could be admitted to the U.S. as part … Continue reading “US to Admit Palestinian Refugees from Iraq”