Updated at 7:32 p.m. EST, Nov. 23, 2009
A possible resolution for the elections law impasse was agreed to by lawmakers, but not before Sunni politicians walked out on the debate. At least one Iraqi was killed and 21 more were wounded in light violence. Kidnappings and arrests were made across the country. In provinces such as Basra and Diyala, arrests have, in the past, been used to harass political rivals.
"It really boils down to one of two decisions, getting out or getting in." – President Lyndon Johnson, speaking about Vietnam "Soldiers came to school today," announced the kindergarten kid. “They only kill bad people. They don’t kill good people.” This story comes to us by way of Jon Letman of Truthout.org. The kindergarten kid …
Continue reading “The Children’s Crusade”
Reminiscent of the political problems in Afghanistan that have plagued the Obama White House, last Monday Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi vetoed a set of amendments to Iraq’s election law approved by the Iraqi parliament. The veto may lead to a delay of the Iraqi elections, currently scheduled for Jan. 21, 2010, and could trigger …
Continue reading “Don’t Let Iraqi Politics Affect US Withdrawal”
At least two Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in today’s attacks. The elections law impassed continues to dominate the news, but two separate criminal cases involving a U.S. soldier and a Blackwater contractor are also getting attention.
Updated at 9:30 p.m. EST, Nov. 20, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in light violence. A U.S. sailor was killed in a vehicle rollover in Kuwait. The elections law deadlock continues to be the source of most news coming from Iraq.
We’ve been here before, says Ray McGovern
Updated at 8:40 p.m. EST, Nov. 18, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and six more were wounded in light violence. Meanwhile, U.S. General Ray Odierno warned that al-Qaeda in Iraq is becoming less dominated by foreigners as Iraqis take over the group. Also, four U.S. servicemembers were removed from the military following their convinctions in the murder of an Iraqi man.
Despite billions of dollars spent by the U.S. and other countries to improve governance in Afghanistan and Iraq, the two countries remain among the world’s most corrupt nations, according to the latest edition of Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Of the 180 countries covered by the 2009 CPI, Iraq ranks 176 and Afghanistan …
Continue reading “Afghanistan, Iraq Near Bottom of Corruption Index”
Updated at 8:24 p.m. EST, Nov. 17, 2009
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded in new attacks. Perhaps in hope of further reducing violence, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered security forces to allow citizens to keep one piece of light arms in their homes.
Kelley Vlahos on the Religious Right’s forgotten brethren
