Dahr Jamail

As part of a massive staff shakeup of Bush’s Iraq team last week, it was announced that John Negroponte, the current U.S. National Intelligence Director who has also conveniently served as the U.S. ambassador to Iraq from June 2004 to April 2005 is being tapped as the new Deputy Secretary of State. It is a … Continue reading “Managing Escalation: Negroponte and Bush’s New Iraq Team”

with Ali al-Fadhily FALLUJAH – Ten-year-old Yassir aimed a plastic gun at a passing US armored patrol in Fallujah, and shouted "Bang! Bang!" Yassir did not know what was coming. "I yelled for everyone to run, because the Americans were turning back," 12-year-old Ahmed who was with Yassir told IPS. The soldiers followed Yassir to … Continue reading “Terrified Soldiers Terrifying People”

with Ali al-FadhilyBAGHDAD – The footage of the execution of Saddam Hussein has generated controversy in Iraq that is refusing to die down. Footage of Saddam’s last moments, taken by an onlooker with a mobile phone, shows the former dictator appearing calm and composed while dealing with taunts from witnesses below him. The audio reveals … Continue reading “Execution Memories Refuse To Go Away”

with Ali Al-FadhilyBAGHDAD – More US troops are expected to be deployed in Iraq in the New Year. Despite obvious rethinking, there is no decision on withdrawal of occupation forces. The presence of troops may be raised just for their own protection. According to a Pentagon report, US and Iraqi forces are facing close to … Continue reading “More Troops but Less Control in Iraq”

with Ali Al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – The Iraqi government headed by Prime Minister Noori al-Maliki, like earlier governments assigned by U.S. occupation authorities in Iraq, appears to have killed Iraqi dreams of a brighter future. General elections on Dec. 15, 2005 brought in a government that was supposed to listen to Iraqis all over the country. … Continue reading “When Iraqis Gave Up on Government”

With Ali al-Fadhily FALLUJAH – Ahmed Ghazi has little reason to stock Christmas toys at his shop in Fallujah. He knows what children want these days. "It is best for us to import toys such as guns and tanks because they are most salable in Iraq to little boys," Ghazi told IPS. "Children try to … Continue reading “A Grim Christmas for Iraqi Children”

with Ali Al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – Despite promises from Iraqi and U.S. leaders that 2006 would bring improvement, Iraqis have suffered through the worst year in living memory, facing violence, fragmentation and a disintegrated economy. A year back Iraqis were promised that 2006 would be the fresh beginning of a, prosperous, democratic and unified Iraq. Through … Continue reading “Iraqi Hopes Dim Through Worst Year of Occupation”

With Ali al-Fadhily FALLUJAH – Iraqi doctors and medical staff are outraged over yet another U.S. military raid at Fallujah General Hospital. The raid followed a roadside bombing Dec. 7 in which four Iraqi policemen were killed and two injured. The injured were taken to Fallujah General Hospital. Shortly after this attack, a U.S. Marine … Continue reading “US Troops Raid Fallujah Hospital Again”

with Ali Al-Fadhily FALLUJAH (IPS) – People living in areas where resistance to U.S.-led occupation is mounting are facing increased levels of collective punishment from the occupation forces, residents say. Siniyah town 200 km north of Baghdad with a population of 25,000 has been under siege by the U.S. military for two weeks. IPS had … Continue reading “Cornered US Military Takes to Desperate Tactics in Iraq”

With Ali al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – Once one of the best countries for women’s rights in the Middle East, Iraq has now become a place where women fear for their lives in an increasingly fundamentalist environment. Prior to the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq, Iraqi women enjoyed rights under the Personal Status Law since July … Continue reading “In Iraq, It’s Hard
Being a Woman”