Foreign Policy and the Midterms

The United States is currently fighting two wars, and a third one in Pakistan that is as yet unacknowledged – and yet, with the midterm elections coming up in a matter of a few weeks, we don’t hear anything about this from the candidates. Why is that? Three reasons, the first being the old adage, … Continue reading “Foreign Policy and the Midterms”

Saturday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 8 Wounded

Light violence left at least one dead and eight wounded across Iraq. In one case the number of wounded is unknown, but at least three casualties were counted. U.S. forces also accidentally killed a tribal leader’s son. Meanwhile, voters are heavily divided ahead of the elections, but some Iraqis can still find humor in the colorful campaigns styles of some candidates. Also, the Accountability and Justice Commission will release evidence they used to bar candidates.

In Arbil, gunmen attacked election campaign offices, beating up several guards and an employee. The political contests are particularly heated in Iraqi Kurdistan, but detailed reports of casualties have been hard to come by. Ten arrest warrants were issued. At least one of the injured is a political activist.

U.S. forces killed a tribal chief’s son and wounded his wife in Kanaan. Villagers were responding to unknown intruders in the night, and the troops fired back.

In Baghdad, an I.E.D. wounded four people.

Gunmen targeted the home of a political candidate in Qaim, but they left no casualties.

Four suspects were arrested over involvement in recent bombings across Anbar province. Police will employ strict security measures ahead of the election.

Karbala police will deploy 1,000 policewomen along with another 15,000 male security personnel during an operation to protect polling centers.

Iraqi families struggle with the high rents and small supply of adequate housing.

Thursday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 5 Wounded

Updated at 8:29 p.m. EST, Feb. 25, 2010 At least six Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in the latest violence. A blast in Fallujah could increase those figures as details about the bombing emerge later. Meanwhile, a leading Sunni party has decided to participate in next month’s elections despite the barring of one of its most popular members.

Thursday: 14 Iraqis Killed, 58 Wounded

A pair of attacks in two major cities took the lion’s share of casualties today. At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 55 more wounded across the country. Meanwhile, many provincial governments and agencies are tightening security ahead of elections, but they have also given journalists more freedom to cover them.

Thursday: 33 Iraqis Killed, 127 Wounded

Updated at 7:40 p.m. EST, Jan. 15, 2010 At least 33 Iraqis were killed and 127 more were wounded in today’s attacks. Among them was a multiple bomb attack in the holy city of Najaf. Meanwhile, a former Iraqi leader criticized the controversial decision to ban 500 Iraqis from running in March elections. Former Iraqi … Continue reading “Thursday: 33 Iraqis Killed, 127 Wounded”