Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered the release of several detainees, who were arrested earlier this week in connection with the deaths of 22 Shi’ite pilgrims. The arrests had created a growing rift between Shi’ite Karbala, where the pilgrims came from, and Sunni Anbar, where the pilgrims were killed. Meanwhile, at least five Iraqis were killed and ten more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, Turkey conducted new air strikes targeting Kurdish rebel positions inside northern Iraq.
read moreCongress Sees Middle East Through AIPAC-Colored Glasses
During August recess this year, 81 members of Congress went on a junket to Israel funded by the Israel lobby group AIPAC (well, funded by the American Israel Education Fund, but they are really one and the same) to " learn first-hand about one of our closest...
Showdown at Goat Gate
Sadrists Protest, Turkey Hints, And Violence Continues For Iraqis
At least 10 people were killed and 18 more were wounded in new violence across the country. Meanwhile, followers of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staged demonstrations in a number of cities, and the Turkish Prime Minister warned of uniting with Iran against Kurdish rebels.
read moreWas Elliott Abrams Hitler’s Senior Advisor?
The Federal Bureau of Idiocy
Iraq: Shi’ite Massacre Arrests Fuel Sectarian Fears
As many as 20 suspects were arrested today in connection with the murders of 22 Shi’ite men near Nukhaib village in Anbar province on Monday. A large anti-terror unit said to be from neighboring Karbala province traveled secretly to Rutba, which is also in Anbar, to make the arrests.
read moreClueless Republicans Demand More Militarism
While the Republicans who are running for president seem to have grasped the truth about the economic abyss that the country is peering into, there continues to be an air of unreality whenever the discussions turn to foreign policy and national security issues....
Kabul Attack Continues Taliban Control of War Narrative
Gen. David Petraeus wrote in his 2006 counterinsurgency manual that the U.S. command headquarters should establish a "narrative" for the counterinsurgency war — a simple storyline that provides a framework for understanding events, both for the population of the...
Bloody Day For Iraq As 33 Are Killed
A series of bombings mostly in and around Baghdad left dozens dead or wounded. The most significant of the blasts occurred at a busy restaurant near Hilla. To the north, Iranian artillery attacks continued. One civilian was injured in them. Overall, at least 33 Iraqis were killed and 64 more were wounded in those attacks.
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