U.S. Admits Probable Role in Civilian Deaths in Mosul

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Mar 29, 2017 American commanders have said that their military may bear some responsibility for Thursday’s errant airstrike, but the Iraqi prime minister disagrees. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Long Knives Come Out in Baghdad (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 18, 2015 In principle, the idea of streamlining the Iraqi government and making it more efficient is a capital one. But the reforms being pursued by Prime Minister Haydar al-Abadi have to raise some questions about the direction the country is taking. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

U.S. Dismayed That Iraq’s Shiite Government Hasn’t Armed Sunni Tribes Fighting Islamic State

Juan Cole / Truthdig Nov 4, 2014 Members of the al-Anbar provincial council say they have met with American officials who are “disgusted” at the slowness of Baghdad to arm the Sunni Arab tribes fighting Islamic State. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

New Iraqi Government: Less Than Meets the Eye?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Sep 9, 2014 The Iraqi parliament finally voted in the government of new Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday, in what U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called a “turning point.” Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Can Al-Abadi Win Over Iraq’s Moderate Sunnis?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 20, 2014 Arguably, the so-called Islamic State (actually a vicious gang of serial killers) could never have taken over northern and western Iraq if the largely Sunni Arab populations there had not been deeply alienated from the government in Baghdad by the openly sectarian politics of former Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Top 10 Mistakes of Former Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (That Ruined His Country)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 18, 2014 Did Nouri al-Maliki's policies help create the country’s current impasse? Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Iraq: Al-Abadi Garners Iranian, U.S., Saudi Support but Can He Unite Iraq?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 13, 2014 Middle Eastern regional powers joined the U.S. in welcoming the appointment of Haider al-Abadi as Iraq’s next prime minister, creating a dorm full of strange bedfellows. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Long Knives Come Out in Baghdad

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 12, 2014 The coup-like atmosphere created by Nouri al-Maliki’s stationing of his troops at the Green Zone, checkpoints and bridges in Baghdad late Sunday backfired on him with Iraq’s parliamentarians. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Iraq: Is al-Maliki Preparing to Make a Coup?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 11, 2014 Nouri al-Maliki, who is seeking a third term as prime minister of Iraq in the teeth of widespread opposition, abruptly began acting like a strongman Sunday night. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Is Russia Replacing U.S. in Iraq?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jun 28, 2014 Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday told BBC Arabic that he was buying used fighter jets from the Russian Federation and from Belorussia. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Iraq PM al-Maliki Rejects Government of National Unity as Sunnis Demand He Step Down

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jun 26, 2014 Secretary of State John Kerry is an experienced and knowledgeable diplomat, but the difficulty of the situation in the Middle East right now is demonstrated by the repeated reversals he suffered during his trip to the Middle East. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

As U.S. Pressures Maliki to Resign, Will the Iraqi Government Collapse?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jun 21, 2014 A consensus is forming in Washington that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki must resign, as part of accountability for his failures with his Sunni Arab citizens. Because Washington is so good about demanding accountability. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )