Iraq war and aftermath

Wednesday 28th December

Iraq's political crisis and the shadow of sectarian politics

Rachel Kantz Feder, 28 December 2011
As the US completed its official withdrawal from Iraq, a series of events stoked a political crisis that will push Iraq toward a precipice.
Tuesday 15th November

Is Iraq edging closer toward partition?

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 15 November 2011
Just as the final U.S. troops are withdrawing, and just as the world’s attention is diverted on Syria and elsewhere, Iraq may steal the limelight a final time and bow and declare: before long, she may not be anymore.
Wednesday 10th August

Islamabad under scrutiny from China as Pakistan-trained terrorists blamed for attacks in Xinjiang

Radu Nikolaus Botez, 10 August 2011
China publicly links recent attacks in Xinjiang province to Pakistan-based terrorist group. Radical anti-US cleric al-Sadr warns Washington that military trainers could become targets. After years of fighting, al-Shabab withdraws from Mogadishu. NATO, Kosovo and Serbia reach agreement following violent clashes between ethnic groups in northern Kosovo. All this in today's security briefing...
Tuesday 31st May

Leaving Basra to the bandits

Hayder al-Khoei, 31 May 2011
How the British Army struck a disastrous deal with the Mehdi Army that turned Basra into a lawless city.
Monday 30th May

Ready, set, crawl!

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 30 May 2011
Despite protests and intense political pressure on Prime Minister Maliki’s coalition government, reforms in Iraq are likely to be slow, sporadic and contradictory. Meaningful reform is undermined by a political system that fosters immobility, an incompetent and politicised bureaucracy, corruption and a general over-reliance on the state
Thursday 11th November

Rights groups call for investigation into violence in Western Sahara

Josephine Whitaker, 11 November 2010
Rights groups call for international probe into violence in Western Sahara. Cholera reaches Port-au-Prince, confirming health workers’ worst fears. Iraqi politicians finally negotiate government after months of deadlock. Former Navy admirals slam decision to scrap Harriers, claiming the move will jeopardise the Falklands. All this and much more in today's Security Briefing...
Thursday 12th August

Kigali grenade attack injures seven days after Kagame re-elected

Josephine Whitaker, 12 August 2010
Grenade attack rocks Kigali just two days after Kagame re-elected as president, while opposition groups urge international community to reject result. The Lord’s Resistance Army is violently abducting recruits in central Africa, according to a recent report from Human Rights Watch. A top Iraqi general insists Iraq not ready for troop withdrawal, but comments brushed off by US and Iraqi officials. Car bomb rocks Bogota in first security test for Santos. All this and more in today’s briefing...
Tuesday 3rd August

Iraq: on the path to national salvation?

Mohammed Hussainy, 3 August 2010
The current political impasse in Iraq is damaging to all parties involved. A National Salvation Government sponsored by the UN may be the only feasible way forward, says Mohammed Hussainy
Thursday 8th July

New fears of xenophobia send migrants fleeing in South Africa

Josephine Whitaker, 8 July 2010
New rumours of xenophobic reprisals after the World Cup send foreign migrants fleeing in South Africa. A new Amnesty International report slams endemic sexual violence in Kenyan slums. A Sri Lankan government minister begins hunger strike to protest UN inquiry into war crimes. Fresh bombings kill more Shia pilgrims in Baghdad. Defeated candidates and supporters protest over ‘rigged’ presidential elections in Guinea. New Australian PM Gillard backtracks on Timor-Leste refugee processing centre. All this and more in today’s briefing...
Tuesday 11th May

Fragile post-election Iraq suffers sectarian bomb attacks

Andrea Glioti, 11 May 2010
Baghdad bombings in wake of inconclusive election bargaining in Iraq. Suspicions mount of North Korean involvement in Cheonan sinking. Murders taint government-opposition relations in Ethiopia. US warns Burma over purchases of North Korean weapons. All this and more in today's briefing.
Monday 10th May

Allawi throws it all away

Mohammed Hussainy, 10 May 2010
Allawi emerged from the election triumphant, but is now unlikely to become the next prime minister. Mohammed Hussainy explains how.
Tuesday 6th April

Leaked video shows US gunships killing Iraqi civilians

Dries Belet, 6 April 2010
WikiLeaks website posts video showing US helicopter attack on journalists and civilians. Obama to announce overhaul of US nuclear strategy. Maoist rebels kill over 70 police in India. Deadly series of bomb attacks rock Baghdad. All this and much more, in today’s security briefing.
Friday 2nd April

Maliki, Allawi and the Iraqi people

Zaid Al-Ali, 2 April 2010
International jubilation following high participation in Iraq's elections is premature, argues Zaid Al-Ali.
Friday 26th March

Iraq election tensions threaten renewed instability

Oliver Scanlan, 26 March 2010
The close race in Iraq’s elections sparks heightened tensions. The head of NATO calls for a missile defence pact targeting Iran. A South Korean vessel sinks off the coast of North Korea. All this and more, in today’s security update.
Monday 22nd March

Mitchell called in after bloody weekend in the West Bank

Laura Hilger, 22 March 2010
U.S. envoy dispatched following settlement row and escalating violence in the West Bank. Tight race as Iraqis await final election results. FARC kidnaps five in Colombia. Influential Nepalese peace broker dies at 86. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
Friday 19th March

Once again, the Iraqi compass points north

Mohammed Hussainy, 19 March 2010
The votes are in and the Iraqi coalitions have entered a complex process of deal making and realignment. Little can be predicted with any certainty, but the Kurdish parties look set to regain their place as kingmakers in Baghdad.
Monday 8th March

Attacks kill 38 on polling day in Iraq

Laura Hilger, 8 March 2010
Attacks on election day kill 38 in Iraq. Renewed peace effort for Israel and Palestine. US-South Korean military drills spark North Korean anger. Reprisal attacks leave at least 100 dead in Nigeria. Explosion in Lahore kills 11. All this as more, in today’s update.
Friday 5th March

Violence and uncertainty underscore Iraqi elections

Oliver Scanlan, 5 March 2010
Insurgents strike polling stations as Iraq votes for its new government. Turkey withdraws its ambassador to the US in the wake of a House committee vote condemning the Armenian genocide. The British PM defends the Iraq war. Clashes erupt at the al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. All this and more, in today’s security update.
Wednesday 3rd March

Suicide bombers target Iraqi city ahead of polls

Rukeyya Khan, 3 March 2010
Suicide bombers target Iraqi city ahead of polls. Arab League backs indirect talks with Israel. Afghanistan bans coverage of Taliban attacks. Italy arrests Iran arms smugglers. Fighting kills twelve in Somalia. Agathe Habyarimana arrested for genocide. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
Monday 1st March

Shadowy campaign financing will mire Iraq's democratic elections

Mohammed Hussainy, 1 March 2010
As campaigning in the Iraqi election intensifies, there is a danger that the race will be won by ill-gotten wealth.
Syndicate content