Premature Withdrawal
Tom Engelhardt on Washington’s cult of narcissism
Tag: Iraq
Sliding Backwards on Iraq?
Leaver and Jarrar say Obama’s generals are out of control
Are Kurds’ Days of Kingmaking Over?
In the run-up to Iraq’s parliamentary elections next week, the once-united Kurds are not only suffering deep fissures but are expected to lose their privileged kingmaker position after the polls. This lack of unity coupled with the rise of several strong coalitions in the rest of the country may lead to the decline of Kurdish … Continue reading “Are Kurds’ Days of Kingmaking Over?”
Monday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 6 Wounded
With only days left before Sunday’s national elections, Iraqi officials have confirmed an increase in Iraqi deaths over the last several weeks. Nevertheless, only one Iraqi was killed and six more were wounded in light violence today. Also, Kirkuk could become a battlefield after Sunday’s elections; some politicians would like to see U.S. troops keep the peace there.
Sunrise or Sunset for Iraq?
Operation New Dawn. That is the name the U.S. military will give its operations in Iraq when U.S. military operations in that country end this September. Wait, what? Okay, once more, a little more slowly. The United States has nearly 100,000 military personnel in Iraq right now. In keeping with the January 2009 Security Agreement … Continue reading “Sunrise or Sunset for Iraq?”
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.
Friday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 48 Wounded
Updated at 6:49 p.m. EST, Feb. 26, 2010
At least four Iraqis were killed and 48 more were wounded in prayer day violence. It appears that reporters have returned to Mosul after a brief hiatus. Regular reports of attacks have resumed, perhaps in response to a surge in attacks against Christians. In nearby Suleimaniyah, however, reports are having a difficult time leaking out. Also, three mass graves holding hundreds of children killed during the Saddam era were discovered in Kirkuk.
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.
Saturday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 2 Wounded
Only three Iraqis were reported killed on a very quiet day. Iraqis are still concerned over the fallout of a candidate blacklist that could nullify the legitimacy of the elections. Some Iraqis face a long jail term if they choose to criticize the elections through vandalism.
‘Disgraced Soldier’ Fights Trauma With Documentary
LONDON – A new documentary, Diary of a Disgraced Soldier, follows the dismissal from the British army of an Iraq war veteran and his battle with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to his videographing the brutalizing of Iraqi youth by fellow servicemen. For five days in 2004, Corporal Martin Webster and about 100 other … Continue reading “‘Disgraced Soldier’ Fights Trauma With Documentary”