Shiites

By Raad Salem | (Niqash.org) | Amarah | – – “Droughts, extremists’ control of water upstream and government austerity measures that are shutting pumping stations: Iraq’s already-precarious, but precious, marshes and wetlands are in danger – again.” The buffaloes that Jabbar Hassan farms moved too slowly across the marshland. They looked tired and too thin; […]

Islam

Syria, Reserve army of Terrorism: Taliban Uzbek in Suicide Bombing of Shiite Village

contributors

By Joanna Paraszczuk and Barno Anvar | ( RFE/ RL ) An Uzbek militant has carried out a suicide truck bombing in the predominantly Shi’ite town of Fua in Idlib Province, part of a major attack against Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian forces by Islamist factions led by Syria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Al-Nusra Front. One of a […]

Iraq

Iraq: Shiite Militia Abuses Mar Fight Against ISIS

contributors

Human Rights Watch | – – (Washington) – Iraqi government-backed militias carried out widespread destruction of homes and shops around the city of Tikrit in March and April 2015 in violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Militiamen deliberately destroyed several hundred civilian buildings with no apparent […]

Iran

Contrary to Propaganda, Iran has always denounced Nukes

contributors

By Farhang Jahanpour | (Inter Press Service) | – – OXFORD (IPS) – Despite all the propaganda about the Iranian leaders’ rush to acquire nuclear weapons, ever since the start of the country’s nuclear programme, Iranian leaders have been adamant that they only wish to make peaceful use of the nuclear energy to which they […]

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

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 […]

Alawites

Iran’s Support for Syria Pragmatic, not Religious (or, Who are the Alawites?)

contributors

By Ari Heistein | (Informed Comment) | – – The Shia government in Teheran and the Alawi regime in Damascus have had warm relations since Iran’s Islamic Revolution, and many attribute that to a common affinity for Shia Islam. While Alawis have embraced their relatively recent inclusion in the Muslim world, for the vast majority of their history […]

Iran

Did Ayatollah Sistani just save Iraq from Iran-backed militias by pushing Gov’t Reforms?

contributors

Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | (Niqash.org)| – – During last week’s protests, secret plans were made to use demonstrations to topple the government. But a senior Shiite spiritual leader seems to have stepped in at the last minute to save the country from chaos. At the end of July thousands of locals took to the […]