Brian Conley

With Isam Rashid BAGHDAD – The unrest in the wake of Iraq’s failure to form a new government is making life particularly difficult for women. “There is chaos in Iraq now, and there is danger everywhere,” 27-year-old Nora Ahmed told IPS. The situation has gone “from bad to worse, and only when the occupation ends, … Continue reading “In Iraq, No Day
Is a Woman’s Day”

*with Isam RashidBAGHDAD – It is widely accepted that Iraq’s recent crime problems began with Saddam Hussein’s general amnesty declaration in October 2002. It is also widely believed the crime wave reached a high in April 2003 with the collapse of Saddam’s seat of power in Baghdad. Given the porous borders and the focus of … Continue reading “Crime Becomes Another Occupation”

With Isam Rashid BAGHDAD – The Association of Muslim Scholars, a Sunni organization that was created in the aftermath of the Iraq invasion, was again targeted by the United States military last Sunday. The raid on its mosque served only to alienate Sunnis further. The Association of Muslim Scholars, now considered the highest Sunni authority … Continue reading “Another Raid Brings Further Alienation”

With Isam Rashid BAGHDAD – More than 400 foreigners have been kidnapped in Iraq since the occupation began in March 2003. Many more Iraqis have been kidnapped, but it is the abduction of foreigners that makes news, and makes them particular targets. Last week, another American was kidnapped in Baghdad. Jill Carroll, a reporter for … Continue reading “Iraq Kidnappings Worse ‘Than Ever Before’”

(with Isam Rashid) BAGHDAD – The Dec. 15 election may have marked a turning point for the involvement of Sunnis in the new political process. But while many Sunnis turned out to vote, resistance groups have said they will continue fighting as long as the United States maintains a presence in Iraq. Despite these comments … Continue reading “Occupation Denies Validity of Election”

BAGHDAD – Before the recent war in Iraq, the sanctions decreased access to many resources, but gas was still plentiful and affordable. Since the invasion in 2003, gas and kerosene have been in short supply. Iraq has the second-largest oil deposits in the world, but Iraqis are forced to sit in excruciatingly long lines, waiting … Continue reading “Iraq: So Much Oil, and So Little”