Iraq

By Marwan Jabbar | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | – – Iraq’s security crisis means that if you are “different”, you may be a threat to militias ruling the streets now. Would-be asylum seekers tell NIQASH why they want to leave Baghdad, despite good jobs and nice homes. Europe is dealing with an influx of refugees […]

Chemical Weapons

ISIL’s campaign may be going chemical – why no international outcry?

contributors

Michelle Bentley | (The Conversation) | – – Evidence is mounting that [so-called] Islamic State (IS) [group] is using chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria – and yet this egregious crime, which once used to be a “red line” for the rest of the world, has yet to provoke a proportionate response. One the most […]

Iraq

Kurds unite, from Conservatives to Far Left, in Fight against ISIL

contributors

By Karlos Zurutuza | (Inter Press Service) | – – KIRKUK, Iraq (IPS) – Reminders of the last occupants of camp K1 in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk are only visible on the murals at the main gate leading into the compound: Iraqi soldiers saluting the flag, pointing their weapons or being cheered on […]

Iraq

A House Divided: Iranian, Iraqi Ayatollahs square off in Baghdad Streets

contributors

Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | – – Recent crises have seen historical tensions between Iraq and Iran’s highest religious leaders, who command the loyalty of millions and a deep philosophical difference, playing out on Iraq’s streets and among politicians. Iraqis living in Iran hold up posters of spiritual leader, Ali al-Sistani, during a […]

Alawites

Can a Loose Federal system save Syria and Iraq?

contributors

By Jerome Joffe | (Informed Comment) | – – In recent months, prospects for applying the principles of federation and constitutional protection for minorities as a basic political solution for the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have dramatically improved. On the foundation of state restructuring, coordination of military force to degrade ISIS and the Nusra […]

Iraq

‘We Must Face Reality. Iraq Can No Longer Be Ruled In A Centralised Way’ – Former VP Salih

contributors

Zhyar Mohammed | Niqash.org | Sulaymaniyah | – – Senior Iraqi Kurdish politician Barham Salih doesn’t pull his punches: The Iraqi army is over, as is the national Iraqi project. And extremists can only, truly be defeated by political reform – after military action. Barham Salih is one of Iraq’s most senior, most experienced politicians. […]

Iraq

Missing, Believed Murdered: ISIL in Mosul Releases 1st ‘Death List’ of 2,070 Victims

contributors

Khales Joumah | Mosul | (Niqash.org) The Islamic State group in Mosul has released lists of locals whose families thought they were missing, but who have been executed. The extremists are also carefully monitoring who wants the information. Streets of Mosul, a city where thousands are missing, most likely murdered by extremists. His heart began […]

Iraq

Can Iraq’s Shiite Militias save the Country from Sectarian Division? Qais al-Khazali thinks So

contributors

By Mohammed al-Zaidi | Najaf | (Niqash.org) | – – NIQASH meets Qais al-Khazali, head of one of Iraq’s most feared militias. The cleric and soldier answered critics, talking about what to do when his fighters commit crimes and whether militias are replacing the army. Most often seen in uniform these days: Qais al-Khazali, leader […]

Corruption

Youth Revolts are back– Lebanon, Iraq Shaken by demand for Services, end to Corruption

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The master narrative of much Western journalism is that the youth protests of 2011 have been replaced by civil war and terrorism. But while there is plenty of both in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya, in fact here and there in the region youth protests have […]