Militiamen Breach U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; Trump Blames Iran

QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA / The Associated Press Dec 31, 2019 Iraqi security forces make no effort to stop the protesters, as they react to deadly U.S. airstrikes against Iran-backed fighters. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

U.S. Commander ‘Frustrated’ by Training Pace in Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Aug 20, 2009 After Wednesday's multiple bombings in Iraq, which left about 100 dead and more than 500 wounded, Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, the U.S. commander in charge of training Iraqi troops before the Americans' departure, said there's "much work to be done" during and after the hand-over. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Blackwater CEO Steps Down

Staff / Truthdig Mar 3, 2009 Saying that he's "taking on new challenges," Blackwater Worldwide founder and CEO Erik Prince announced Monday that he's resigning from his long-held position at the top of the security company, which has now changed its name to the spooky and sci-fi-tinged Xe. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Shoe-Thrower Speaks

Staff / Truthdig Feb 20, 2009 Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, who quickly became renowned throughout the world after chucking his shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad last December, took the stand in court Thursday to defend his memorable act as a gesture of self-expression, on behalf of both himself and "the Iraqi people." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Happy Oil Dependence Day

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Jul 2, 2008 As we head into the Fourth of July weekend of patriotic bluster and beer swilling -- but before we are too besotted with ourselves -- might we also for once consider our imperfections? Why not take a moment to heed the cautions of our founding father, George Washington, whose true legacy will most likely be ignored during the flag-waving weekend? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Unsung Victims of the Emerald City

Sarah Stillman / Truthdig May 29, 2008 There's a group of contractors working in Baghdad's Green Zone that we don't often hear about: The cleaners, cooks and construction workers from places like Uganda who toil and die in obscurity. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Hezbollah Rules West Beirut in Iran’s Proxy War With America

Robert Fisk / Truthdig May 11, 2008 Another American humiliation. The Shia gunmen who drove past my apartment in west Beirut yesterday afternoon were hooting their horns, making V-signs, leaning out of the windows of SUVs with their rifles in the air, proving to the Muslims of the capital that the elected government of Lebanon has lost. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Halliburton Now Facing Rape Lawsuit Trial

Staff / Truthdig May 11, 2008 For some time, it looked like former Halliburton/KBR employee Jamie Leigh Jones, who claims she was gang-raped by co-workers over two years ago in Baghdad's Green Zone, would be forced by KBR into private arbitration proceedings (read: no public record, corporation often has upper hand). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Aziz Trial on Hold

Staff / Truthdig Apr 30, 2008 The trial of nine Iraqis -- including former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Ali Hassan al-Majid (aka "Chemical Ali") -- who were allegedly involved in the killing of 42 merchants in 1992 was delayed for about three weeks for logistical reasons soon after it started Tuesday. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sadr Warns of ‘Open War’

Staff / Truthdig Apr 20, 2008 Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr issued a strong warning to the Iraqi government Saturday, claiming that he and his supporters will "declare a war until liberation" if a crackdown against his Mahdi Army continues. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraq Exploding as Shiite Fights Shiite

Patrick Cockburn / Truthdig Mar 27, 2008 A new civil war may be looming in Iraq as American-backed Iraqi government forces battle Shiite militiamen for control of Basra and parts of Baghdad. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Blackwater Gassed Baghdad Checkpoint in 2005

Staff / Truthdig Jan 11, 2008 The questionable actions of Blackwater Worldwide are coming back to haunt the private security contractor once again, this time regarding an incident in May 2005. In that incident Blackwater teams on the ground and in the air near a busy Green Zone checkpoint released CS gas, which is used by the U.S. military only sparingly and only in strictly controlled circumstances. The gas temporarily compromised American troops' ability to maintain security in the area. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )